The Californian from Salinas, California • 13

Saturday, November 3, 2007 PRO BASKETBALL 1NSIDE3C Warriors lose by six to Clippers SPORTS COORDINATOR: George Watkins PHONb 754-4264 FAXi 754-4293 E-MAILi sportsthecalifornian.com www.thecalifomlan.com PRO HOCKEY SWINGING AWAY GeorgeWatkins Kings rule THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Los Angeles right wing Brian Willsie, right, collides with San Jose's Sandis Ozolinsh in the first period of Friday's game in San Jose. But great goaltending allows you to build confidence in yourselves." Aubin gave up seven goals and got pulled once in his only two previous appearances for the Kings this season, but Jason LaBarbera's veteran backup was sensational in his first start since Oct. 18. He made 34 saves in the first two periods under constant assault from San Jose's talented forwards, and his teammates rallied with four goals in the final 26 minutes. got his 11th goal and two assists as the first-place Kings ruined the Sharks' return from a 13-day road jaunt Los Angeles posted its third win in 15 trips to San Jose despite an overwhelming shot advantage for the Sharks, who got dispirited when they realized Aubin was in top form.

"We needed (Aubin) to be great early, and he was," Los Angeles coach Marc Crawford said. "Everybody knows the Sharks are a really strong club, and that won't change. The Associated Press SAN JOSE A backup goalie and a sleep-deprived rookie made sure the San Jose Sharks stayed stuck in their early-season slump. Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 45 saves and Matt Moulson scored the go-ahead goal in his NHL debut as the Los Angeles Kings earned their fifth victory in six games, 5-2 over the Sharks on Friday night. Dustin Brown scored two goals and Mike Cammalleri HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL OTDOdhl (gwb(Q) L2)D Hollister QB shreds Salinas PfiYK A i X'tk By GEORGE WATKINS The Salinas Californian Even without a playoff ban, the Salinas High football team will likely have to wait at least one more year for a trip to the Central Coast Section playoffs.

The Cowboys saw their playoffs hopes all but end Friday night after losing to Hollister 24-7 at Salinas High Stadium. The loss sent Salinas' overall record to 4-5 and Tri-County Athletic League mark to 1-4 with just one game to play. It's been a disappointing end to the season. It opened with high hopes after CCS officials dropped the final year of a two-year playoff ban, freeing the Cowboys for a chance at a post-season spot for the first tune in three years. But after starting the season 3-0, Salinas has lost five of its last six games, including its last three in a row.

Hollister, meanwhile, a team that traditionally peaks for the playoffs, kept its faint See SAUNAS, Page 2C I Little league loses leader Larry Deaton He listened to complaints, settled disputes and upheld the law, according to the Little League baseball rule book. In the end, it was always left to Larry Deaton to make the calL Like any good umpire, he would call'em as he saw'em. Deaton, 66, was the president of District Nine Little League an area that included all of south county, Salinas and Hollister for more than 20 years. He died in his sleep about two weeks ago. In a fitting tribute, a group of youngsters and parents arranged for a game last Saturday at Hartnell Little League field as a sort of memorial to Deatoa In addition to his years as an umpire, Deaton spent the past 35 spring and summers at Little League baseball games.

"He loved baseball and he loved kids," said his daughter, Leslie Deaton, who followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a Little League umpire herself "He was always there for the kids." For better or worse, he was also there for the adults. Deaton was usually the first person parents, coaches, umpires and league administrators came to in times of crises. Of which there were plenty. "Sometimes his cell phone would start ringing on the way home from a game, and he'd be on it until 3 am," Leslie said. That is if he could ever leave the ballpark.

"He always wanted us to take two different cars to the game because most of the time he'd be there two hours after the game answering questions," she said Deaton went to high school in Kentucky before spending 41 years as a mail carrier in Saunas, CarmeL San Martin and Castroville. His passion was baseball (and riding one of the largest motorcycles on the market), and he spent most of his time making sure there was enough of the game to go around for kids of all ages. "He started the minor league program for kids who got cut (from the major division) and organized all-star teams for the 9- and 10-year olds," Leslie said At the end of every season, Deaton, the father of five girls and one boy, would attend the annual Little League national meeting. He was a stickler for rules and made sure his umpires were, too. "When he was at a game he'd always watch the umpires," Leslie said "He'd critique them.

Every time the umpires would see him coming, they'd say Here comes Deatoa" His advice to umpires was short and simple: Give respect, be loyal and be fair. Little League baseball thrives today because of the dedication of people like Larry Deatoa He'll be replaced by Deb Trice, president of North County Little League. It would be nice if District 9 administrators could come up with something to honor the man who gave so much and asked for so little in return. Perhaps the vanning team of the District 9 Tournament of Champions could be presented with the Larry Deaton trophy- He's done too much to not have his name remain part of Little League baseball. GEORGE WATKNS is a sports writer for The Salinas Californian, Contact him by e-mail at or by phone at (831) 754-4264.

4 mrm-r mi i -r- JLSJSSSSSOLi ti'Tft niiiBrlfiri RICHARD GREENTHE SALINAS CALIFORNIAN Hollister Haybaler Ronnie Fhurong (2) slips out of the arms of Salinas' Ryan Bradford (15) in first-quarter action of Friday night's game at Salinas. Gilroy passes Vikes Palma gets back on track FRIDAY'S RESULTS Hollister 24, Salinas 7 Gilroy 35, N. Salinas 14 Palma 38, Turlock 14 Pacific Grove 40, King City 12 Carmel 32, Soledad 8 Greenfield 26, Wilson Prep 6 Stevenson 36, Gonzales 0 Monterey 41, Pajaro Valley 0 Monte Vista 41, Watsonville 35 Soquel 19, Santa Cruz 7 Aptos 28, Harbor 27 Alisal 21, Alvarez 0 TODAY'S GAMES Seaside at North County, 2 p.m. ONLINE EXTRAS touchdown pass from Jensen to Sean Hale with just seven seconds left before halftime. Hale caught eight passes for 122 yards.

Danny Contreras had two catches for 86 yards and one touchdown and ran seven times for 82 yards and another score for the Mustangs. Travis Reyes iced the game for Gilroy with a 42-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. For the game, he caught four passes for 67 yards and rushed five times for 49 yards. The win clinched the Mustangs a share of their first league title since 1985 as they stayed unbeaten in the T-CAL through five games. Gilroy can clinch the title outright by beating Hollister on Friday.

The loss sent North Salinas to 7-3 overall and 3-3 in T-CAL. The defeat likely cost North Salinas a chance at its first home playoff game in 28 years. Friday's game was the final regular-season contest of the year for North High, which is expected to be seeded into the Central Coast Section playoffs Oct. 11. Staff reports The North Salinas High football team started fast but faded in the second half and lost to Gilroy 35-14 Friday in a Tri-County Athletic League battle in Gilroy.

The Vikings took a 14-0 lead for the first-place Mustangs and maintained a 14-7 advantage at halftime. But Gilroy took advantage of two blocked punts in the third quarter to take a 23-14 lead into the final 12 minutes. Mark Ramos, who rushed for 83 yards and intercepted two passes, scored for North Salinas on a 27-yard run in the first quarter. The Vikings then went up 14-0 on a touchdown pass from Mike Ramos to Donte Mosely Ramos completed five of 19 passes for 85 yards for the game. Devin CameL the T-CAL leading rusher, was held to a season-low 25 yards.

Gilroy quarterback Jamie Jensen completed 19 of 42 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted four times. The Mustangs began their comeback late in the second quarter on a 20-yard By RYAN WALLACE The Salinas Californian David Fales is settling comfortably into his position as the starting quarterback at Palma High SchooL The junior completed 11 of 14 passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns in the Chieftains' 38-14 win over Turlock Friday. The non-league game was played at the Salinas Sports Complex. In the first half, the 6-foot-3 Fales was nearly perfect, going nine-for-11 for 97 yards and three touchdown passes to three different receivers.

He found A.J. Layson in the middle of the field for a 21-yard touchdown pass on Palma's first possession of the game. The Chieftains (7-2 overall) ran the ball six straight times before the throwing score. In the second quarter, he added a 31-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Ramirez and an 8-yard touchdown pass to Chad Davis just before halftime. See PALMA, Page 2C this week's photo (fc oltt en VS3 illery "Prep Football galle weeK trom tne baii- Weel nas-Hollister and Alisal-Alvarez games at www.The-Calrfornian.com.

VIDEO: Also watch video from the North Salinas-Gilroy game at www.TheCalifomian.com. Make the call TODAY'S QUESTION: Who will last longer as Joe Torre with the L.A. Dodgers Joe Girardi with the NY. Yankees UCLA plays against Arizona at 12:30 p.m. on KGO 7.

Arizona State plays at Oregon 3:40 p.m. on ESPN. Inside Phoenix shuts out Dallas3C Celtics beat the Wizards3C The Salinas Californian's Web site, www.thecalifornian.com, features an informal reader poll. A new question is asked each Tuesday and Friday. Click on Local Sports and look to the right to find the poll.

0nIV Navy plays at Notre Dame at 11:30 a.m. on KSBW-8 KBsasBwcsRoea on Wok S3.