Spring 2010 Recap:
Magic has been able to expand to four teams for the first time in over two years. The additions to our coaching staff (Steve Pezzola, Greg Ginsburg, LaRone Smith, Austin Sutta) have strengthened the program and despite intense competition for players the Elite Team(Black Magic) has built a very strong roster moving into the summer. Anchored by long-time Orinda Magic players like Leticia (Moses) Oceguera, Gina Del Bene, and Amber Edmond, and more recent additions like Jamie Wallace and Krissy Segismundo, the Black Magic team will be looking to make their mark at the summer tournaments @ UCB, Oregon City, Santa Ana, and San Francisco. While they hold out hope that starting SG, Alexa Salcido, will recover from severe injuries to rejoin the team, the young ladies are looking forward to trying out their new teammates Alejandra Cephas and Corrine Hom. Returning from the Spring after recovering from some nagging injuries, Jamie Wallace and Haliegh Nickerson will join Geena Greene and Arienne Johnson in their push to finish the AAU season in top form.
The Orinda Magic Blue team has been the most successful team in the club for the second straight Spring. Though they started off slow, each tournament found them gaining more and more momentum. Zina Fostor and Courtney Seyranian have shouldered most of the point-guard load and done an exemplary job. Zina's aggressiveness is perhaps matched only by Shelby Sailing who continues to add to her repertoire daily. Additionally, the consistent play of Calila Cruickshank and Caitlin Senneca have kept the team energized, while Sarah Allison, Danielle Roach and Lindsay Thien continue to make valuable contributions while improving their individual skills.
The future of Orinda Magic in the form of the Gold Team also had mixed results in the Spring but look forward to a memorable Summer as they cope with the loss of two long-time teammates, Alejandra Cephas(to Black Magic) andJessica Mitz(to the Blue Team) and prepare to face the challenge of playing at the High School level as the new Red Team. The team hopes to be a scoring threat @ each position and will feature quick and seasoned guard play with Mariah Seals, Layla Stebbins, Jonae Gonzales and Tori McGovern. Defensive specialists, Annemarie Del Bene and Madison Burroughs will harass opposing offenses while 3pt threat Bailey Russ and post presence Briah Davis will bang inside for rebounds.
3/19/2010
Orinda Magic will have two high school teams for the spring and the summer. The Black team will compete against the best competition available and will travel to Elite tournaments including NCAA approved viewing tournaments in Oregon and LA. The Blue team will be a younger team that will enter local tourneys to play the best competition in the area. All teams will be practicing at Wagner Ranch, 350 Camino Pablo, Orinda.
1/13/2010
Orinda Magic has named a new head coach(Steve Pezzola) for the Black Team. The Black Team is Orinda Magic's Elite high school team and will travel Nationally to tournam
ents in Oregon and possibly Tennessee. Steve Pezzola has coached at the high school level for over 5 years and just began as the Salesian Varsity Girls Basketball Coach. As the coach of the Black team, Steve’s goal is to continue the program that his good friend Darrell Hirashima Sr founded which placed numerous girls in position to play basketball at Division I, II, and III schools. He is looking for highly competitive girls who: (1) love the game of basketball, (2) respect the game and its players, coaches and officials, (3) are willing to work to become better players while having fun in the Spring and the Summer; and (4) desire to continue playing basketball past their high school years.
10/10/2009
In their second straight tournament with a diminished roster Magic Gold Team played at an impessive pace racking up over 150 pts in 3 games @ the Xtreme Hoops Oktoberfest Shootout while their stifling defense held opponents to just over 50 pts. The defense was anchored by Jessica Mitz and Madison Burroughswho frustrated the opposition with their quickness and anticipation. Jordan Johnson and Alejandra Cephas protected the paint and cleaned up the boards while team leaders Jonae Gonzales and Anne-Marie Del Benetook advantage of every possession running the court and punishing opponents in transition. Scoring was led by Ashley Ewing who slashed through opposing defenses with ease and gobbled up offensive rebounds. A tremendous team effort rewarded with a well-deserved championship. Congrats!
10/5/2009
A depleted Magic Gold Team competed in their first tournament of the fall season playing in 3 exciting games down to the wire. In Game 1 the Magic matched up against the Stars in a back and forth battle. With just seconds remaining and the score tied Jessica Mitz nailed a 3 pt shot to put Magic on top for good. Game 2 exposed Magic as a team with weaknesses as casual play and a loss of focus put Magic in a deep hole early against a strong West Coast Xtremelineup. The team showed character by battling back and giving themselves a chance to win with minutes to go, but a lack of execution down the stretch doomed the Magic 8th graders to their first loss of the season. Magic started game 3 strong, bolstered by the return of starting point guard Anne-Marie Del Bene. Just when the game against All-Citylooked to be in the bag Magic was hit by the injury bug. Magic stalwarts, Jonae Gonzales and Bailey Russ, were incapacitated leaving only 5 healthy players and a rapidly diminishing lead. Led by Gabby Brown's staunch defense the team held off a comeback to win another close one and start the season 2-1.
8/15/2009
10/10/2009
In their second straight tournament with a diminished roster Magic Gold Team played at an impessive pace racking up over 150 pts in 3 games @ the Xtreme Hoops Oktoberfest Shootout while their stifling defense held opponents to just over 50 pts. The defense was anchored by Jessica Mitz and Madison Burroughswho frustrated the opposition with their quickness and anticipation. Jordan Johnson and Alejandra Cephas protected the paint and cleaned up the boards while team leaders Jonae Gonzales and Anne-Marie Del Benetook advantage of every possession running the court and punishing opponents in transition. Scoring was led by Ashley Ewing who slashed through opposing defenses with ease and gobbled up offensive rebounds. A tremendous team effort rewarded with a well-deserved championship. Congrats!
10/5/2009
A depleted Magic Gold Team competed in their first tournament of the fall season playing in 3 exciting games down to the wire. In Game 1 the Magic matched up against the Stars in a back and forth battle. With just seconds remaining and the score tied Jessica Mitz nailed a 3 pt shot to put Magic on top for good. Game 2 exposed Magic as a team with weaknesses as casual play and a loss of focus put Magic in a deep hole early against a strong West Coast Xtremelineup. The team showed character by battling back and giving themselves a chance to win with minutes to go, but a lack of execution down the stretch doomed the Magic 8th graders to their first loss of the season. Magic started game 3 strong, bolstered by the return of starting point guard Anne-Marie Del Bene. Just when the game against All-Citylooked to be in the bag Magic was hit by the injury bug. Magic stalwarts, Jonae Gonzales and Bailey Russ, were incapacitated leaving only 5 healthy players and a rapidly diminishing lead. Led by Gabby Brown's staunch defense the team held off a comeback to win another close one and start the season 2-1.
8/15/2009
Congratulations to Deserie Azlin, for being awarded the inaugural Darrell Hirashima Tribute Award. Created by our friends @ the Bulldawgs Basketball Club in honor of our founder Darrell Hirashima, this award will be presented annually to a graduating girls basketball player. Special thanks to Alfonzo Joo for orchestrating ths incredible tribute!
3/8/2009
Congratulations to Denesha Stallworth on her recent selection to the McDonald's and Nike All-American Teams! Magic is unbelievably proud of Denesha and all the hard work she has put in. We could not imagine a more deserving athlete or a more wonderful family! Darrell would have been so proud and so happy for you!
5/26/2009
Orinda Magic came away from Reno with only two Consolation Championships, but we left our impression on the tournament. Teams at every level have vastly improved since the beginning of the Spring and are starting to compete with most teams.
Emilie Johnson - UC Santa Barbara
Katie Batlin - St. Mary's College
Kasey Reicks - UC Davis
Vicky Deely - UC Davis
Ashley Ellis- University of Kansas
Hannah Passafuime- Brown University
Katie Batlin - St. Mary's College
Kasey Reicks - UC Davis
Vicky Deely - UC Davis
Ashley Ellis- University of Kansas
Hannah Passafuime- Brown University
Orinda Magic Black 2006 Left to right - Jennifer Gross, Michelle Blaisdell, DeNesha Stallworth, Jaleesa Ross, Katie Batlin, Courtney Fearon, Marnique Arnold, Kristine Herman, Bryjette Bonner. Front - Coach Darrell Hirashima.
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