Dominic Massimino
@VCSDominic
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Old Bay enthusiast. Covering prep sports for @vcstar in Ventura County. @occidentalnews alumni 🐅 Send news tips to [email protected]
Sonora, CA
Joined June 2022
Utah got a good one! Sonora High offensive lineman Roger Alderman has signed his national letter of intent to play for @Utah_Football next season. He signed this afternoon among friends, teammates, coaches and family outside Bud Castle Gymnasium.
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Some personal news: next Friday will be my last day at the Union Democrat. It has been a great joy to write about sports here in Sonora. I’m so grateful to my UD family for making the Mother Lode feel like home. Stoked to join the @vcstar where I will continue to cover preps!
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BREAKING:. Sonora offensive coordinator Kirk Clifton will replace Bryan Craig as the Wildcats’ new head coach.
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Roger Alderman, Ava Fox begin the next chapter of their athletic careers. My signing day recap below 👇🏼
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Through their first eight games, Columbia College sophomore Caleb Chiang has made the most 3pt baskets of any player in the @CCCAASports with 30, while boasting a 3pt % of 43.5 — good for 14th overall. Might Chiang be in contention for best shooter in CA?
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Okay this is pretty cool. Thrilled to be on the list of finalists for the @CNPAservices California Journalism Awards alongside some personal heroes. My gifted colleagues @GuyMcCarthy and Alex Maclean are also finalists in three more categories — not bad for our little paper!
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Claim Jumpers clinch a Central Valley Conference co-championship, which they will share with Sequoias, after a 74-67 win over Fresno City tonight in Sonora. On to the NorCal playoffs for the Claim Jumpers 🏀
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Had an absolutely blast reporting this story on how Columbia College used a tier system and early-morning shooting workouts to become one of the top shooting teams in the state. Give it a read! @CCCMBCA @sgnlthelgthoops @claimjumperRob @209Hoops
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“Grit is my favorite word, and he has a ton of that,” said Columbia head coach Rob Hoyt. The Claim Jumpers got a verbal commitment from Calaveras star Jay Clifton Saturday morning — a major signing as the team begins to put its 2023-24 roster together.
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More Ventura High football recruiting news! The Cougars’ gifted QB is taking his talents to Montezuma Road.
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Sonora football star and touted college prospect Roger Alderman has announced his commitment to the University of Utah. Story to come. @SonoraAthletics
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#Aerofire continues to burn in spots here in downtown Copperopolis. Here a backyard chicken coop smolders
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History has been made! Both of Tuolumne County’s schools, Sonora and Summerville, are headed to the section championship game. Sonora wins over Dixon 49-34 and Summerville get the 40-14 victory over Bradshaw Christian. Summerville HC Sean Leveroos with a message to his team:
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Welcome to football season!
Lots of exciting Sac-Joaquin Section football news coming out this week, so make sure to pick up a copy of tomorrow's Union Democrat where you can read the 7,500-word, 20-page 2024 UD Football Playbook to learn everything you need to know about this year's MLL and TVL teams!.
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The Sonora Wildcats may be the new kids on the block in the vaunted Trans Valley League, but they looked right at home Friday night against the Escalon Cougars, defeating the reigning Division IV section champs 35-14. My latest for The Union Democrat 👇.
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The Sonora star has found a home! Catch him at MJC next season.
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Nine new recruits bolster the Claim Jumpers’ 13-man roster after making it as far as the regional final of the state playoffs last spring. “The most talent I have had, from top to bottom,” said head coach Rob Hoyt. @sgnlthelgthoops @CCCMBCA @JUCOadvocate .
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Hearing that No. 8 Columbia will get sharpshooter Caleb Chiang (14.5 ppg, 40.6% 3PT through Dec. 19) back from the injured list for this afternoon’s playoff game against No. 9 Contra Costa. Chiang missed most of the conference season with a jaw injury. @CCCMBCA @sgnlthelgthoops
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Got quite the introduction to Oxnard basketball last night catching this game in person. The Yellowjackets' press is smothering, and they have both the defense and 3-point shooting to keep up with any team. Santa Barbara will be a fun test tomorrow night at home.
Channel League #4. Oxnard (11-4, 3-1) 81.Pacifica 34. M. Ramirez 21p/8a/4r/4s.Giron 15p.Ullegue 14p/7r/4s.Stankey 10p/7r.Duran-Morales 7p.Garrett 6p. Jackets are at home this Wednesday vs. Santa Barbara. @vcspreps @pollonpreps @latsondheimer @JacketPrincipal @TheGaragePod.
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The #AutoFire broke out in the Santa Clara river bottom tonight around 7:12 p.m. Burning up the abundant fuel in the area, which is just south of Olivas Park Dr. and Perkin Dr. Water drops from helicopter and at least one dozer engaged in firefighting efforts.
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Officially official!. VC folks, feel free to reach me here or at dominic.massimino@vcstar.com. Let’s get to work 🤝🏼.
The Star sports department is proud to announce the hiring of Dominic Massimino as a staff writer.
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Unfortunately, I didn't nab any wins at my first @CNPAservices California Journalism Awards this weekend in LA, but I returned home proud of a pair of fourth-place finishes in the Breaking News and Sports Action Photo categories and grateful to have met so many talented peers.
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📸📸📸
The career of Pacifica QB Dom Duran, a 4-year starter, came to an end in the D2AA state title game. “He got us back on the map,” Tritons OC Erik Diaz said. “He literally built us back up to a state championship-caliber type of team. That is his legacy.".
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In one of his final acts in office, Ventura mayor Joe Schroeder honored Ventura High senior Sadie Engelhardt with a key to the city today. Along with Engelhardt’s coaches, he surprised her with the award at track practice under the guise of unveiling the school’s new scoreboard.
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Here at Sacramento City College for a @Sportsccca NorCal semifinal hoops matchup between No. 9 Columbia and No. 8 Sac City. 7 p.m. tipoff with a trip to the regional finals up for grabs. Will have updates here for the Union Democrat 📰
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Some of my fav shots from Friday’s game between Sonora and Antelope. Game recap in tomorrow’s paper!
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Spent some time at a high school practice today as I start to write my spring sport previews and wow. how fun is it to shoot baseball???
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As Moon gave some final feedback following Tuesday night's practice, the banner from their 2019 state championship, emblazoned across Pacifica High's main building, was visible to players and coaches alike. The Tritons take aim at another title tomorrow night in Mission Viejo.
Phenomenal feature from @vcsjoecurley on Mike Moon — the man at the center of Pacifica High's emergence as a public school football powerhouse. The Tritons will take on Grant of Sacramento in the Division 2AA state championship tomorrow at 4 p.m.
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My first opportunity to cover Sonora Wildcats football did not disappoint. Story out today in print on Sonora’s loss in an overtime thriller to the Division III powerhouse Oakdale Mustangs. Online soon! Pick up a copy of the @uniondemocrat today. More photos to come.
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Wow. Just wow. No. 10 Riverbank snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, tapping in a game-winning putback at the death to give the Bruins a 50-49 win over No. 7 Sonora. An absolutely gut-wrenching loss for the Wildcats.
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Lots of exciting Sac-Joaquin Section football news coming out this week, so make sure to pick up a copy of tomorrow's Union Democrat where you can read the 7,500-word, 20-page 2024 UD Football Playbook to learn everything you need to know about this year's MLL and TVL teams!.
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Streaking Claim Jumpers net two more wins, move to 8-0 amidst injury-riddled preseason campaign. My latest for The Union Democrat:.
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In addition to our Sonora/Oakdale preview out today, make sure to pick up a copy of the @uniondemocrat to get a look at our full season preview for @SonoraHigh, @SummBears, @CalaverasRedSea and Bret Harte. Don’t miss it!
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It may be May, but prep sports are still going strong and so is the Union Democrat’s sports coverage!. Read all our coverage of the section title winning Bears softball team and Sonora distance runner Broen Holman qualifying for state in the 3200m. Pick up a copy today!
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Don’t spend much time in press boxes as a photog/reporter so I don’t have much to compare it to, but that’s quite the view…. Division 2AA State Championships, Pacifica vs Grant on deck at 4 p.m. here at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
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Some shots from the Claim Jumpers' trip to the American River College Jamboree this weekend, where they finished 4-0 with wins over Sierra, Siskiyous, Lassen and Feather River. Stay tuned for an in-depth recap of the event later this week 🏀
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What a strange and fun night at Larrabee Stadium in Ventura. A power outage pushed back the start time to 8:30 and Ventura (4-3, 2-0) took down Moorpark (5-2, 1-1) by a point in OT 36-35 to stay unbeaten in Channel League play.
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📸📸📸
Sonora Wildcats enter the Trans Valley League in style, picking up a commanding win over the Escalon Cougars. Sonora 35, Escalon 14 . Story TK.
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I’m hearing that Columbia’s 6-foot freshman Kobe Nunes has a 42-inch vertical. That kind of athleticism in a guard is coveted by many college coaches. The bounce was on full display against Shasta on Friday.
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📸 from the Seraphs' victory in the @CIFSS Division 4 quarterfinals last night at Ventura College.
Jaden Few and the Seraphs defense were everywhere in the 34-20 win, logging three stops on Redondo Union’s first three drives. “When I took this job, our tagline was, ‘Return to glory,’” HC Joe Goyeneche said. “We expect to be playing for championships.".
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Thankful for the best job in the world! Shout out to all the prep sports writers out there. Eat a turkey leg for me!.
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The college recruiting attention continues to pour in for Ventura High star linebacker and Oregon commit Tristan Phillips. This time from his own backyard 👇🏼.
After a great conversation with @B_Quatro4 I am blessed to have received an offer from The University of Southern California!! Fight on✌️🗡️❤️. @CoachTimGarcia @MathisGaius @VenturaFootball
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The career of Pacifica QB Dom Duran, a 4-year starter, came to an end in the D2AA state title game. “He got us back on the map,” Tritons OC Erik Diaz said. “He literally built us back up to a state championship-caliber type of team. That is his legacy.".
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Feels like the entirety of the Mother Lode is in the house tonight already for tonight’s matchup between the Summerville Bears and the Sonora Wildcats at Dunlavy field… should be electric tonight!
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I'll be out covering Marmonte League football tonight — Simi Valley at Camarillo — for my first assignment with the Star. Follow along @vcspreps for some live coverage of that matchup, whatever game @vcsjoecurley winds up at, and more.
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Columbia opened their preseason campaign at the American River College Jamboree in Sacramento with wins over Sierra (66-36) and Siskiyous (65-39) on Saturday, as well as wins over Feather River (68-55) and Lassen (69-31) on Sunday to finish the event 4-0.
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Pretty darn close to a full house here tonight for the Sonora/Oakdale rivalry game. The Wildcats and Mustangs have opened up their seasons against each other since Sonora left the VOL in 2014, and last two games were decided by a touchdown or less. 5 minutes to showtime!
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MJC-bound Sells is going to be a tantalizing prospect for 4-year universities. Beast in the weight room, beast in the classroom, beast on the field 🏈.
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We love a sports section packed with local football news… pick yourself up a copy!
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The #olivasfire burned itself up quick this morning near Olivas Links golf course and Ventura Harbor. Now appears to be in the mop-up stage. @vcstar
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Wildcats and Claim Jumpers and Bears, oh my! High school and college hoops, as well as our new UD Prep Athlete of the Week column highlight today’s @uniondemocrat sports page. Go pick up a copy 😎
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Claim Jumpers hit a program record-tying 18 3-pointers in 106-54 win over American River College 👇.
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CIF-Southern Section No. 20 Buena Hosting No. 9 Ventura in one of Ventura County's most stories rivalries. Buena, the winningest program in the state, is hoping to defend home court against one of the winningest coaches in state history in Ventura's Ann Larson. @vcspreps
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Sonora boys hoops falls 51-48 to a talented Stagg team in a thriller of a championship game at the @OakdaleHSSports Rotary Club tournament. Jared Franklin led the Wildcats with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
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A capable receiver out of the Mission League is headed to Newbury Park this offseason — another offensive weapon for the Panthers.
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Phenomenal feature from @vcsjoecurley on Mike Moon — the man at the center of Pacifica High's emergence as a public school football powerhouse. The Tritons will take on Grant of Sacramento in the Division 2AA state championship tomorrow at 4 p.m.
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Here at Sonora High for the Wildcats’ second-round matchup against Center High. Sonora comes in ranked No. 2 in Division IV, while Center is No. 10, coming off a 28-7 first-round win over No. 7 Pioneer.
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Defensive tenacity and sophomore leadership propelled Columbia to a 3-0 sweep at the Tony Costello Tip-off Classic. “It was probably the best three-day stretch, defensively, of any group that I have had at any point,” Jumpers head coach Rob Hoyt said.
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The Claim Jumpers will take on No. 8 Sacramento in the NorCal semifinals Saturday.
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Legendary Wildcats coach Bryan Craig steps down after 15 seasons. My latest for the Union Democrat:
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More joyous scenes from Friday night's game 📸📸📸
Claim Jumpers clinch a Central Valley Conference co-championship, which they will share with Sequoias, after a 74-67 win over Fresno City tonight in Sonora. On to the NorCal playoffs for the Claim Jumpers 🏀
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Hello Ventura County 👋🏼 excited to hit the ground running here! . Still figuring out how to correctly pronounce Ventura, Hueneme and Camarillo, but i’m sure Jostradamus will set me straight….
The new guy started work Monday, but Dominic Massimino had already experienced his first Buena-Ventura football game Friday. Read more about the Star’s new sports reporter later today on the site or in tomorrow’s paper.
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Two senior stars from Ventura County, still searching for their college homes, put on a show at the National Football Foundation All-Star Game Saturday night.
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They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but given the weather that obviously isn’t the case 🥵 Both the Bears and Wildcats avenged last year’s playoff losses to Waterford and Hilmar Friday as CA kicked off a hot streak of its own. Check out the stories in today’s paper!
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The #MountainFire exploded yesterday, spotting far south in Camarillo Heights and burning homes throughout Sterling Hills and Las Posas Estates. The fire was over 14,000 acres at 0% containment as of last night. Some frames from a devastating day in Ventura County for @vcstar
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The #AeroFire has burned more than 5,400 acres and destroyed three structures as of sunrise Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
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Acclaimed Claim Jumpers named to All-State, All-Conference lists
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Simi Valley is headed back to the CIF finals, this time in Division III, after a season-saving interception from Seth Knight Friday night against Loyola.
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Cats win their first game against Oakdale since ‘16, and they do it in Kirk Clifton’s first game as HC. “We showed grit — a tremendous amount of grit,” Clifton said. “If your team is gritty, you are never out.”.
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Christmas came a day early!. Pick up today’s Union Democrat for a copy of our comprehensive guide to Sonora and Summerville football this season. Mother Lode Leage team rankings, players to watch and interviews with members of each coaching staff await you!
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Today’s Union Democrat sports section is PACKED with local news. Pick up a copy and stay informed!
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Great kid, great player, great program. Check out our recap of the game over at @vcspreps .
This is what @mikemoon42 @TheMarcusAlford are building at Pacifica! Young men! Hats off to our staff! Great post interview by @CIFSS
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Sacramento Bee’s @sawsan24 takes a look at the racially-charged incidents that have plagued Northern California football this fall. This week’s game between Sonora and Antelope came about in large part due to teams from two separate leagues canceling seasons due to misconduct.
Racist pranks at California schools ended football seasons. Coaches see a tie to COVID-19.
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@WhiteHatPigSkin @BlackHatFootbal @hilmarfootball @EscalonFootball @MSSsports @Quade1095 @frontrowpreps @OrestimbaFB @discoverthecap @cifsjs @CIFSS Sonora/Hughson is going to be an epic battle of two very different styles. Not too many teams can throw the ball like McDaniel and the Huskies can, and not many can run it down your throat the way the Wildcats’ stellar O-line and stable of backs can. Should be lots of fun.
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Well! After a brief break for some tacos, your intrepid @uniondemocrat sports reporter is back with coverage of Sonora/Escalon in the CIF SJS Division V championships. Kickoff in T-1 hour…
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21 points from Kai Staniland, the @vcspreps No. 1-ranked player, helped propel Ventura past rival Buena Tuesday night 52-44. “It means the world to me,” Staniland said. “It means the world to me and to every one of my teammates. I am so glad to be here.”.
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Some of the most compelling frames 📸 from last night's contest 👇
Cats win their first game against Oakdale since ‘16, and they do it in Kirk Clifton’s first game as HC. “We showed grit — a tremendous amount of grit,” Clifton said. “If your team is gritty, you are never out.”.
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Here's a closer look at that Amar block near the end of the first half. Second-half action loading up here.
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Claim Jumpers extend their unbeaten streak to 9-0 with a 98-64 blowout of Feather River in the first round of the Saltwater Classic at Cabrillo College. It's the highest-scoring game of the season for Columbia, and their largest margin of victory.
Columbia sophomore Jonathan Dillon caught a body early in the Jumpers’ tournament game against Feather River at the Saltwater Classic. Jumpers on blowout watch as they lead 55-22 at the half.
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Sonora High grad Austin Patterson is on the move!. The former Wildcats 🏀 star will remain in the Big Sky, heading to Missoula to play for the Griz. Montana finished with the second best conference record last season at 12-6.
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The Union Democrat sports section is packed with local news today. Pick up a copy and stay informed!
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Sonora with a big game against a talented, 8-2 Downey program tonight at 7:30 on @NorCalSportsTV at Columbia College. Don’t miss it 👍🏼.
Today we are back in action as travel up to Columbia College to take on Sonora. You can tune in here if interested at 7:30pm
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Columbia sophomore Jonathan Dillon caught a body early in the Jumpers’ tournament game against Feather River at the Saltwater Classic. Jumpers on blowout watch as they lead 55-22 at the half.
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@sgnlthelgthoops Definitely an argument to be made for assist leader @KaiJordan17. Floor general for the 11-1 Claim Jumpers.
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📸📸📸
Wildcats overcome first half challenge to defeat No. 7 Summerville 45-14 at home. “We haven’t been in a situation like this since the first game we played all year,” senior fullback Audie Peeples said. “We showed them what we are made of tonight.”.
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Some 📸 from Columbia College’s 87-80 win over Cosumnes River Saturday. Story to come in the @uniondemocrat
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Stopped by Columbia College to catch a practice yesterday to hear how the team is preparing for Saturday’s matchup with reigning champs and No. 1 seed @CCSFMBB. Preview online later today ✍🏼
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“Do your job”: Claim Jumpers handle business against Cosumes River College Hawks
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FINAL: Sonora 55, Antelope 6. Wildcats win it in an absolute blowout, dominating against the Titans' pass-heavy offense. Story TK.
Halftime update from Antelope: . Sonora Wildcats 21, Antelope Titans 6. The Titans heated up over the second quarter, with short completed passes over the middle adding up, but the Wildcats have an insurance score from Cash Byington returning the opening kickoff for a TD.
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Forgot to mention, he also sealed the 28–20 victory over Hilmar with an interception, grabbing the would-be checkdown pass deep in Yellowjackets territory. What a terrific day for the senior.
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Got a fun one in sports today! . NFL vet and Sonora icon Josh Parry takes over at Del Oro in first head coaching gig 🏈. Thanks to @J_Georgeson26 for help sourcing and to @HyllaBilly and the folks at Central Catholic.
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Sonora, Summerville football stars sweep top league awards for the 2022 season — the most dominant seaon for Tuolumne County teams in recent history.
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