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Thursday Boys Hoops — Corning vs Live Oak at Pierce, 3:30 p.m. Boys Hoops — Mercy at Los Molinos, 5 p.m. Girls Hoops — Mercy vs. Quincy at Biggs Boys Soccer — Corning at Gridley, 3:15 p.m. Girls Soccer — Corning at Gridley, 3:15 p.m. NFL — Texans at Eagles, 5 p.m., NFLN Sports 1B Thursday December 2, 2010 Winter Sports Preview Tehama Tracker Mercy Warriors Basketball BOYS HOOPS Willows 44 Corning 33 QUICK FACTS Head coach: Steve Shellabarger, 6th year Division: VI League: Tri-Cities 2009-10 record: Division VI Champion, 17- 12, 1-5 (tied for third Tri-Cities) Graduated: Ali Syed (7.4 ppg), Cameron Vietti (7.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.1 spg), Ryan Ward (4.0 ppg), Aaron Gash (3.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Bo Wang (2.5 ppg) Returning: Jeremie Jones (10.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.1 apg, .5 bpg), Mitchell Lopez (10.2 ppg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg), Royce Crane (4.4 ppg, 1.1 spg), Michael Wang (4.4 ppg, 1.0 bpg), Jarrett Gash (.8 ppg) Newcomers: Leon Liu, Steven Rodriguez, Isaac Williams OUTLOOK The Warriors might be the defending section cham- pions, but they aren’t being viewed as the favorite. Of course, the underdog label worked out just fine last year when Mercy entered the playoffs as the No. 5 seed and pulled off upsets at Loyalton and top ranked Hayfork before hold- ing off Maxwell in the championship game for the school’s first championship in 10 years. So if people want to dis- miss Mercy’s chances again, that’s fine according to the players. “They are taking us light- ly,” leading returning scorer Jeremie Jones said. “They’re going to regret that when they meet us.” Last year Mercy was deep, athletic and healthy. This year the athleticism remains, but the departed senior class has left the bench depleted and a foot- ball season has left a few players hobbling. What the Warriors do return is their top scorers in Jones and Mitchell Lopez. Jones’ inside presence and Lopez’s outside touch helped the Warriors rally back in last year’s title game. Jones said he’s been working on his outside game during the offseason. His ability to hit the open jump shot should help Lopez take advantage of his own post skills and open things up for 6-foot, 5-inch Michael Wang, who proved to be a force when he avoid- ed foul trouble. The athletic Royce Crane also returns. Last year was Crane’s first season of orga- nized basketball and the added experience should help him progress on the offensive side of the court. Steven Rodriguez joins the team after leading Mercy’s junior varsity in scoring last year. Jarrett Gash, Isaac Williams and Leon Liu round out the rotation. Mercy will compete in an expanded Tri-Cities League, which added Divi- sion V Chester and Divi- sion-VI rivals Maxwell and Hayfork. Combined exist- ing forces Liberty Christian and Redding Christian and the Tri-Cities is shaping up to be a deep league. With Scott Harrison and Donald Ferguson returning, Hayfork will have revenge on their minds when they meet up with the Warriors this year. The first meeting could come as early as Dec. 10 when Mercy and Hayfork are on the same side of the bracket at the Trinity Tour- nament. Last season the Warriors made the old adage of it’s not how you start, but how you finish, ring true. They also learned how to ROSTER 3 Steven Rodriguez W/P Jr 32 Isaac Williams 33 Jarrett Gash 35 Royce Crane Jr Jr 6-1 21 Jeremie Jones C/W Sr 6-3 24 Mitchell Lopez 25 Leon Liu P/W Sr 5-9 W C 44 Michael Wang C/W Sr 6-5 6-0 6-2 C Sr 6-2 W/P Sr 5-11 win. Continued aggressive- ness from Jones, smart turnover-free play from Lopez and a third scoring threat emerging will be key if the Warriors are to return to Chico this March. As coach Steve Shellabarger pointed out, everyone’s going to play better when they see Mercy this season. The Warriors will have to as well. SCHEDULE Th-S Dec.2-4 at Block LM Tournament Th-S Dec.9-11 at Trinity Tournament M Dec.13 at Westwood,7 p.m. F-S Dec.17-18 at Providence C.Tourney Tu-Th Dec.28-30 at Liberty Christian Invite Tu Jan.4 at Liberty Christian,7 p.m. F Jan.7 at University Prep,7 p.m. Tu Jan.11 vs Dunsmui.7 p.m. F Jan.14 at Chester,7 p.m. Tu Jan.18 vs Hayfork,7 p.m. F Jan.21 vs Redding Christian,7 p.m. Tu Jan.25 at Maxwell,7 p.m. F Jan.28 at Redding Christian,7 p.m. Tu Feb.1 vs Maxwell,7 p.m. Tu Feb.8 vs Chester,7 p.m. F Feb.11 at Hayfork,7 p.m. Tu Feb.15 vs Liberty Christian,7 p.m. F Feb.18 vs University Prep,7 p.m. Jeremie Jones and the Warriors have a title to defend. The Cardinals dropped their season opener, Tuesday night, 44-33 to Willows. Tyler McIntyre led Corning with 13 points and Cameron Nye had 10 in the losing effort. The game was tied at 20-20 at halftime, but Willows outscored the Cardinals 13-6 in the fourth quarter to escape with the win. Ryan Welsh led Willows with 17. Corning plays Live Oak at the Pierce Tournament, today at 3:30 p.m. GIRLS HOOPS Corning 38 Willows 23 The Lady Cardinals opened up their 2010-11 season on the road with a 38-23 win at Willows. Corning outscored their hosts 26-7 during the sec- ond and third quarters to start the season 1-0. Campbell to start Oakland Raiders ALAMEDA (AP) — A week after being replaced as the Raiders starting quarterback, Jason Campbell is back in the lineup. Once again the question is for how long. With Bruce Gradkowski sidelined indefinitely after suf- fering another third-degree shoulder separation, Campbell will be Oakland’s starter this week against San Diego. Beyond that is anyone’s guess. ‘‘It’s just a situation you have to deal with,’’ Campbell said Wednesday. ‘‘Any quarterback doesn’t want to be in a situation like that, but at the same time you can’t mope or complain about anything like that.’’ Campbell has started seven games this season but has been pulled from the lineup twice, in a Week 2 win over St. Louis and during a 35-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 21. The Raiders gave no indication Campbell wouldn’t start last week against Miami but coach Tom Cable went instead with Gradkowski. He threw two interceptions and had a 62.5 rating before taking a hit on his throwing shoulder late in the fourth quarter. Cable initially expressed concern that the injury could be season-ending but an MRI confirmed that Gradkowski has a third-degree shoulder separation, the same injury he had ear- lier in the year. He will avoid surgery and could return this season. ‘‘It seems like my shoulder’s still strong to where if I just let it heal right, I’ll be all right,’’ Gradkowski said. ‘‘I don’t see the season being over for me yet. I’m just going to keep preparing, keep rehabbing. I’m thinking a couple of weeks and get back.’’ Campbell handled the majority of reps in practice Los Molinos Bulldogs Basketball QUICK FACTS Head coach: Christian Cumpston, 1st year Division:V League: Mid-Valley — North 2009-10 record: 13-14, 5-5 (third in Mid-Val- ley, lost in first round of D-V playoffs Graduated: J.C. Conrad (9.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.4 spg), Efrain Cardenas (1.4 apg, .6 bpg) Returning: Eric Blanchard (12.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .9 bpg), Sean Conrad (12.7 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.5 spg), Ryan Mekech (7.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Kevin Garnica (4.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Ryan Perez (1.1 ppg) Newcomers: Edward Garnica, Isidro Madri- gal, Reggie Points OUTLOOK There’s a new coach and with him a new philosophy in Los Molinos. The run n’ gun high tempo style of the past few seasons is being replaced with a defense-first mental- ity as Christian Cumpston takes over a program that finished a respectable third in the Mid-Valley last sea- son. Cumpston, a former Red Bluff Spartan with some college and coaching experience, said he hopes to turn defense into the the Bulldogs new identity. “That’s my focal point. I believe if you stop the other team from scoring than you win,” he said. Most of the pieces are back for Cumpston. It starts with 6-foot, 5- inch center Eric Blanchard, who led the Bulldogs in scoring last season with 12.8 points per game. “(He) could be the focal point in the middle if he wants it,” Cumpston said. Right behind Blanchard in scoring last year was guard Sean Conrad, who averaged 12.7 points per game. Conrad and Blanchard will not only be counted on once again to handle the bulk of the scoring, but take Eric Blanchard leads a strong Los Molinos front court. Wednesday while Kyle Boller was the backup. Gradkowski attended practice and even donned a helmet at one point but was held out of all drills. So now it’s back to Campbell in the latest switch of a starter this season, whether because of injury or perfor- mance. The changes haven’t made it easy on the quarter- backs. ‘‘It’s a tough situation,’’ Campbell said. ‘‘You always want to be in there competing, playing with the guys. At the same time you understand the coach had made a promise and he was going to stick by his word. You never like to see anyone get hurt in this business. But here I am again, up here, another opportunity to go out here and play. That’s what you have to keep your focus on.’’ The Raiders have scored only 20 points in their previous two games after averaging 38.3 during a three-game win streak. Campbell was at quarterback during the streak, which temporarily moved Oakland into a tie with Kansas City for the AFC West lead. Now the Raiders are two games behind the Chiefs with the season quickly slipping away heading into Sunday’s game against the Chargers. ‘‘This is a big week for us,’’ Campbell said. ‘‘We’re a team that’s trying to get our chemistry back and trying to get things going back in the right direction.’’ Notes:CB Nnamdi Asomugha underwent a second MRI on his right ankle and the test proved negative. over the leadership hole left by the graduation of Sean’s brother J.C. Junior small forward Ryan Mekech became a monster on the glass in his sophomore, averaging a team high 7.4 rebounds per game. “He’s a real good learn- er,” Cumpston said. Mekech returns as does power forward Kevin Gar- nica, providing a quality front court for the Bull- dogs. The Bulldogs will com- pete in a revamped Mid- Valley League, which schools and split into a pair of four-team leagues. Los Molinos finds itself in the North along with Quincy and Biggs, two schools that missed the playoffs in 09-10 and defending Division-V champion Hamilton. Hamilton lost its top four scorers from its title team and will rely on 6- foot, 5-inch center Jacob Jacobo. Williams, Portola, Esparto and East Nicolaus make up the Bulldogs cross league schedule. The Bulldogs surren- dered less than a point per game than they scored in 09-10, relying on their quickness to produce turnovers and easy baskets. The Bulldogs retain their speed and height, but will look to mix up their defenses to bring down the 57.1 points per game they allowed. Cumpston said he’s been impressed with the way his team learns drills Reggie Points ROSTER G Jr 20 Isidro Madrigal G Jr 5-10 21 Kevin Garnica 23 Eric Blanchard C 44 Ryan Perez SF Jr PF Sr F 6-2 6-0 6-5 6-0 Sr Sr 5-10 2 Sean Conrad G Jr 5-9 5 Edward Garnica G Jr 5-9 12 Ryan Mekech and takes directions — rarely needing instructions given twice. The first year coach said his focus this season will be building character. “That’s the foremost important thing, to build character with these boys, development and hopefully we can win some games,” Cumpston said. With the majority of the scoring back, those wins should come if the Bull- dogs play defensively like they practice. SCHEDULE Th-S Dec.2-4 Block LM Tournament W Dec.8 at Paradise Adventist,7 p.m. Th-S at Westwood Tournament Tu Dec.14 at Champion Christian,7 p.m. M-W Dec.28-30 at Liberty Christian Invite Th Jan.13 at Greenville,4 p.m. Tu Jan.18 at Quincy,7:30 p.m. F Jan.21 vs Hamilton,5:30 p.m. W Jan.26 at Biggs,5:30 p.m. F Jan.28 vs Williams,7:30 p.m. Tu Feb.1 at Portola,7:30 p.m. F Feb.4 at Esparto 7:30 p.m. Tu Feb.8 vs East Nicolaus,7:30 p.m. F Feb.11 vs Quincy,7:30 p.m. W Feb.16 at Hamilton,5:30 p.m. F Feb.18 vs Biggs,5:30 p.m. Scoreboard NFL Today’s game Houston at Philadelphia, 5 p.m., NFLN NCAA FOOTBALL Today’s televised game Arizona St. at Arizona, 5 p.m., ESPN NBA Wednesday’s results Atlanta 112, Memphis 109 Boston 99, Portland 95 Dallas 100, Minnesota 86 Denver 105, Milwaukee 94 Houston 109, L.A. Lakers 99 Miami 97, Detroit 72 Oklahoma City 123, New Jersey 120, 3OT Orlando 107, Chicago 78 Toronto 127, Washington 108 New Orleans 89, Charlotte 73 Utah 110, Indiana 88 San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, late Today’s games Phoenix at Golden State, 7:30 p.m.,TNT Miami at Cleveland, 5 p.m., TNT Tuesday’s late results Indiana 107, Sacramento 98 San Antonio 118, Golden State 98 NCAABASKETBALL Wednesday’s Top 25 results No. 1 Duke 84, No. 6 Michigan State 79 No. 3 Pittsburgh 80, Duquesne 66 No.14 Memphis 78, Arkansas State 71, OT No.17 San Diego State vs.Saint Mary’s, late UCF 57, No. 18 Florida 54 No. 19 Texas 76, Lamar 55 No. 21 BYU 77, Creighton 65 No. 22 Purdue 58, Virginia Tech 55, OT No.24 UNLV 82, Illinois State 51 Today’s Top 25 games No. 4 Kansas vs.UCLA, 6 p.m., ESPN2 No. 9 Missouri at Oregon, 8 p.m., CSNB No.11 Baylor vs.Arizona State, 4 p.m., ESPN2 Tuesday’s late Top 25 result No.23 Washington 102, Long Beach State 75 NHL Wednesday’s results Boston 3, Philadelphia 0 Edmonton 4, Montreal 3, OT Nashville 4, Columbus 3, SO Phoenix 4, Minnesota 2 Washington 4, St. Louis 1 Florida at Anaheim, late Vancouver at Calgary, late Today’s games San Jose at Ottawa, 4:30 p.m., CSNC Atlanta at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m. Edmonton at Toronto, 4 p.m. Montreal at New Jersey, 4 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at N.Y. Islanders, 4 p.m. Tampa Bay at Boston, 4 p.m. Washington at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Florida at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday’s late results Detroit 5, San Jose 3 Atlanta 3, Colorado 2, OT