Today’s edition is sponsored by The Rose Hotel.
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Welcome to the Playbook!
Here we are ready for the EBAL winter season! Each week the Playbook will bring you a story about something related to the current sports taking place locally!
With 40-plus years of covering the EBAL, the Playbook knows the landscape of local prep sports and will bring you the ins and outs, as well as the good (and the bad) of prep sports!
Each version of the Playbook in delivered each Tuesday into your inbox! It’s free: You just have to register to get it. You can do it at www.danvillesanramon.com.
The Big Picture looks at the athletic facilities at Emerald High School as the school enters its second year. The Aerouants put out some college quality facilities! Also, there is a special tribute this week to former Foothill boys’ basketball coach Randy Isaacs for the official dedication of the court at Foothill before the Falcons league opener Friday against Granada.
EBAL Power Rankings has no changes in either basketball rankings, but with the league starting this week, count on some up and down moments for the rest of the season. Also, the soccer rankings debut this week. Which teams sit on top the first power rankings
Fast Five introduces Amador Valley soccer player Joseph D’Onofrio. You just can’t argue with his favorite fast-food choice!
Got a great story idea for something coming up in the winter? Let me know at acesmag@aol.com!
From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor
One wow moment after another: Touring Emerald High School’s amazing athletic facilities
Simple enough: I called athletic director Jason Rockwell and he was more than gracious to have me come out and take a tour … Amazing.
Power Rankings as of Jan. 6.
EBAL BOYS’ BASKETBALL
1) De La Salle (14-1): The Spartans finally lost a game, falling 58-44 to perennial national powerhouse Harvard-Westlake in the finals of a tournament in Southern California.
2) Dublin (14-1): The Gaels finish their SoCal tournament with a 63-51 win over Rolling Hills Prep. League opener is interesting in that Livermore has put together a nice little 12-3 non-league campaign. Let’s see how the Cowboys fare in their toughest game thus far.
3) Dougherty Valley (11-5): The Wildcats beat Oxnard and Alameda to roll into league where they have a big opener at San Ramon Valley.
4) San Ramon Valley (8-6): The Wolves finish with their tough non-league schedule and now open league play, where in a league where you only get to play each team once, is almost a must-win right out of the gate as they host Dougherty Valley.
5) California (14-2): The Grizzlies put another couple wins on the board last week and are ready for a huge EBAL opener Friday night when they travel to Pleasanton to face 13-2 Amador Valley. Big game for both teams.
On the bubble: Amador Valley (13-2), Livermore (12-3), Monte Vista (11-5), Foothill (9-6), Granada (6-11).
1) San Ramon Valley (10-2): The top-ranked Wolves win two games against strong teams, topping Marin Catholic (61-48) and Oakland Tech (53-48) last week.
2) Carondelet (12-3, 3-0): The Cougars got their third EBAL game out of the way, beating Dougherty Valley 86-17. After that they fell 79-56 to Etiwanda of Southern California in the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase.
3) Dublin (9-0): The Gaels just keep going out and beating whoever they play. This past week it was Watsonville, College Park, and Turlock. Opens league play on Friday at Livermore.
4) California (6-5): Has lost three consecutive as they head into EBAL play as they will face a must-win game right out the gate against Amador Valley.
5) Dougherty Valley (10-4, 0-1): The Wildcats have lost two consecutive, falling to a pair of power teams in Carondelet and Branson. Now opens league with two-time EBAL defending champs San Ramon Valley.
On the bubble: Monte Vista (6-8), Foothill (4-8), Amador Valley (6-8), Granada (6-9, 0-1), Livermore (6-9, 0-1).
EBAL GIRLS’ SOCCER
1. Granada (5-0-3): Great start for the Matadors as amazingly enough, they have not allowed a goal this season. Great opener as they will be at Foothill.
2. Foothill (4-0-2): The Falcons have come out not losing a game in their first six matches. Opens EBAL play this week by hosting Granada and will try to be the first team to get a goal on the Mats.
3. San Ramon Valley (1-0-0): The Wolves have played all of one game, but you know they will be right in the middle of things when the end of the season rolls around.
4. Dougherty Valley (3-1-0): The Wildcats only blemish to the top-ranked team and in their three wins, they have only allowed one goal.
5. Carondelet (5-2-0): A couple early stumbles for the Cougars but they — as always — play a loaded schedule. Could easily climb these rankings as the season goes on.
On the bubble: Amador Valley (1-0-0), Dublin (3-1-0), Livermore (2-3-1), California (2-3-0), Monte Vista (0-1-1).
EBAL BOYS’ SOCCER
1. De La Salle (4-2-1): The Spartans’ two losses have come from outside the area and as usual, they are looking like the team will have to go through.
2. San Ramon Valley (6-2): Just edges out Granada for the second spot, with the Wolves having a 3-2 win over and Granada having a loss to the Colts.
3. Granada (7-2): The Matadors had run off six consecutive wins until they got beaten 4-2 by James Logan. Looks like a solid team that has a powerful offense.
4. California (4-1-2): Does have a win over Logan this season but are still searching for consistency. It should be another good year for the Grizzlies.
5. Dougherty Valley (4-1-2): Last year the Wildcats showed how good a program they have put together and nothing should change here.
On the bubble: Monte Vista (2-1-1), Foothill (4-4-1), Amador Valley (3-3-3), Livermore (3-4-2), Dublin (1-1-4).
Thursday, Jan. 9
EBAL Boys’ Soccer: Monte Vista at De La Salle, San Ramon Valley at Dougherty Valley, Livermore at Dublin, Foothill at Granada, California at Amador Valley. All games at 6:30 p.m.
EBAL Girls’ Soccer: California at Amador Valley, Carondelet at Monte Vista, Dougherty Valley at San Ramon Valley, Dublin at Livermore, Granada at Foothill. All games at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 10
EBAL Boys’ Basketball: California at Amador Valley, Dougherty Valley at San Ramon Valley, Dublin at Livermore, Granada at Foothill (Randy Isaacs Tribute game). All games at 7:30 p.m.
EBAL Girls’ Basketball: Amador Valley at California, San Ramon Valley at Dougherty Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Pleasanton Preps: Dreams dashed as pressures push year-round horse races out of fairgrounds
The dream Pleasanton residents had for year-round horse racing at the Alameda County Fairgrounds lasted all of 26 days of races before disappearing almost as quickly as it got here.
We interview high school athletes and coaches all the time. Occasionally we ask them questions that have nothing to do with sports. Here’s one:
Name: Joseph D’Onofrio
School and grade: Amador Valley, senior (2025)
Sport: Soccer
Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: “Breaking Bad”
What music are you listening to: Kanye
Must follow on social media: “avhs.menssoccer” on Instagram
Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: In-n-Out (3×3)
Favorite quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Kevin Durant
Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email us.
Dennis Miller is a veteran sports writer and editor, covering sports in the Tri-Valley for over 35 years. In addition to being the editor of Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, he has written a weekly column for Pleasanton Weekly and PleasantonWeekly.com, “Pleasanton Preps,” since 2011. Email him at sports@pleasantonweekly.com.
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