Local Digest: Modesto's Gregori powers way into D2 final

It didn't take long for Gregori High to get good at volleyball. In only its second year with a varsity program, the Jaguars will play El Camino tonight at 6 p.m. at UC Davis for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 crown. Ripon Christian faces Bear River for the D4 title at 8. In 4 p.m. matches, Le Grand faces Woodland Christian for the D5 championship and Turlock Christian meets Valley Christian for the D6 title. All the finalists, except for D6, will receive berths in next week's Northern California playoffs.

MJC soccer men, women in action

The Modesto Junior College men's soccer team (11-4-5) will entertain Gavilan (11-6-4) Saturday in the opening round of the Northern California Regionals. Game time is 2 p.m. at the MJC West Campus field. MJC has not played 10th-seeded Gavilan this season. In the women's NorCals, Modesto (5-8-8) earned a 16th seeding and is a major underdog at top-seeded Fresno (15-4-2) on Saturday.

Seven Pirates on All-Valley team

Seven Modesto Junior College Pirates were named to the All-Valley Conference football team announced this week. Honored were quarterback TeeJay Gordon, receivers Brian Alvarez and Ricky Fuentes, offensive linemen Marco Camacho and Kacey Stout, linebacker Adrian Laurel and defensive lineman Timmy Barnard. Former Central Catholic star Jack Killian of San Joaquin Delta also made the team as a receiver and return specialist. For a list of Saturday's community college bowl games, see Page C-4.

Section announces top water polo players

Oakdale's duo of Cassie Lee and Shelby Stender, and Johansen's Corey Plaster, were selected to the the first team of the all-Sac-Joaquin Section Water Polo Team. Joining the girls on the Division 2 squad is teammate Hayley Benson. On the Division 2 boys second team is Ripon's Caleb Rogers. Joining Plaster on D1 are second-teamers Geoff Risting (Johansen), Brett Fogelberg (Merced) and Josh Heller (Atwater). Merced's Allison Miller was a first-team D1 girls' pick, with Johansen's Kyla Houck making second team.

Pitman topic of show discussion

Pitman High's football program has never been to a section semifinal, but the Pride can reach uncharted territory with a win Friday at Oak Ridge. How big of a night will Brent Nelle need for his team to pull it off? For an answer, and other updates, watch Richard T. Estrada on Stanislaus Football Weekly, sponsored by Steves Chevrolet Buick of Oakdale. Find the web show is at www.modbee.com/hsfootball.