SportStars™ Magazine

Star of the week

Any team can win at home. That's why winning on the road is more special. Playing on the road is like a second home for the undefeated California-San Ramon boys soccer team. They recently lit up Granada-Livermore (6-0 on Jan. 3) and snuck past Amador Valley-Pleasanton (3-2 on Jan. 5). Senior forward Brandon Brown had three goals and two assists over the two games. He scored the game-winning goal with just over a minute left against Amador Valley.

SportStars: Why are you guys so good? 

Brandon Brown: We're a very tight team and everyone is good friends. Every day we're going 100 percent. Everyone is straightforward; we don't hold back.

SSM: What makes your team road warriors?

BB: I like to put it as, we go in with our backs against the wall and go all out. I love going in there and shutting down the fans.

SSM: You were upset by De La Salle in the NCS quarters last year. How bad do you want to get back at them? 

BB: We're definitely looking forward to playing them because of what happened in the NCS playoff game. … It was devastating. It was a really terrible loss. We learned anything can happen during a game. You just gotta keep fighting for the win.

BRANDON’S QUICK HITS

Favorite team: Chicago Bears

Favorite subject in school: Psychology

Favorite Starbucks item: Caramel Frappuccino

Honorable Mention

Jennifer Plantenga — In a close match against Amador Valley on Jan. 6, the Granada senior scored 18 points and owned the glass by picking up 15 boards as the Matadors escaped with a 52-43 win.

Victor Pereira — The Newark Memorial-Newark senior made his trip to Clovis worth it as he won the 160-pound title at the Doc Buchanan Invitational on Jan. 7. He defeated Javier Mandera (Roseburg, Ore) 10-2 in the final.

Francesca Panella — The Carondelet-Concord sophomore had a helping hand in both goals (goal, assist) as the Cougars handed San Ramon Valley-Danville its first loss of the season on Jan. 3.