Tag Archives: Denair High School

Denair Wrestlers Hope to Build on Last Year’s Success

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Don Helnore was encouraged by the success of last year’s Denair High wrestling team, which finished third in the rugged Southern League. And though the Coyotes lost five seniors, the veteran coach is optimistic that his 16-man group can live up to similar expectations this time around.

Three wrestlers who qualified for the Division V Tournament return – senior Jordan Cervantes (132 pounds), junior Kyle Prock (138) and senior Kyle Perkins (220).

“For me, I want each guy as a returnee to improve and do better for himself and the team,” said Helnore, who has run the program for nine years. “For the new kids, I want them to find a love for the sport.”

In addition to Cervantes, Prock and Perkins, Helnore is high on 145-pound sophomore Blake Davis. “He’s already making big leaps from last year, when he really pushed some guys.”

The early part of the season features some regional tournaments and a handful of dual meets. For now, Helnore said the focus is on “conditioning and technique work.”

“We have a basic plan for all our guys. As you see them wrestle and move, you find out what they’re good at and build on that,” he said. “But like in any sport, you have a basic foundation that you teach.

“Right now, we’re working on stances, hand position, head position. What am I trying to do? Motion and movement. Once we get into league season, there’s more wrestling.” Continue reading “Denair Wrestlers Hope to Build on Last Year’s Success” »

Optimism Runs High for Denair Boys Basketball

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Denair boys basketball 2015

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Five games in five nights. Thirteen games in 19 days. The three-month basketball season may be a mini-marathon, but December promises to be a sprint for the Denair High boys team. It won’t take long for the Coyotes to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

“My whole thing in December is to define roles. That’s where we’re at,” said fourth-year coach R.J. Henderson. “Everything we do in the first month is to gauge where we are come January and February.”

Henderson begins the season with more depth than he’s ever had. Fourteen players will suit up for the home opener against Stone Ridge Christian – five more than he had on the varsity roster at the end of last season. He is hopeful that will allow the Coyotes to be more aggressive offensively and defensively, and compete for one of the Southern League’s three playoff berths. Denair was 8-18 overall and 4-8 in league play last year.

“We’re going to be more up-tempo, especially when we get to league,” Henderson said. “Talent-wise, we have the players to do that. We want to push the ball up the floor and do the things we haven’t been able to do in the past.”

Much of the optimism surrounding this year’s team revolves around senior point guard and captain Isaac Starks. This will be his third season with the varsity. Last year, he averaged 12 points and 4.3 assists per game, and was named to second-team all-league. Henderson has higher expectations this season.

“He’s got the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. He’s one of the two of three best guys in our league at that,” the coach said. “He’s got great range for a high school kid. He’s by far the best shooter I’ve had in my four years here.”

Starks made 40% of his three-pointers in limited action as a sophomore and 35% as a starter last season. Henderson said it will be rare when Starks comes out of a game this year. Continue reading “Optimism Runs High for Denair Boys Basketball” »

Denair Cheerleaders Perform at Sacramento Kings Game

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Twenty members of the Denair High School cheerleading team performed at halftime of the Sacramento Kings game on Sunday at Sleep Train Arena in front of more than 17,000 people.

The squad has known for about a month of the opportunity, which was arranged by coach Robyn Hilton.

The Coyotes cheerleaders were given a minute-long routine and the accompanying music about two weeks ago so they could begin to practice, said assistant coach Hannah Yanez. The Kings asked them to arrive Sunday by 9 a.m. so they could rehearse the steps.

The team joined five or six other high school cheerleading squads and dance groups for the routine at halftime, which wasn’t until about 7 p.m.

“They really enjoyed it and had a good time,” Yanez said. “It’s exciting for them to perform in such a big arena and with other groups.”

It was the second time in two years that Denair’s cheerleaders have appeared at a professional sporting event. Last fall, they performed in Oakland at a Raiders game.

Four Denair High Students Recognized for Bilingual Skills

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Anry Fuentes, Rosalinda Martinez, Hector Obando

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Four students at Denair High School have earned prestigious recognition for their bilingual speaking and writing abilities.

Seniors Anry Fuentes, Rosalinda Martinez and Juan de la Cruz and junior Hector Obando were awarded the coveted Seal of Multilingual Proficiency in a ceremony Wednesday night at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. The designation will be specially noted on their high school diplomas, certifying that they are fluent in English as well as Spanish.

This important recognition helps graduates when they apply to colleges, compete for scholarships or submit job applications.

“This is a verification of their skills,” said Maria Olivas, a Spanish teacher at Denair High who also serves on the language committee run by the Stanislaus County Office of Education.

This year, 544 juniors and seniors from nine Stanislaus County school districts applied for the Seal of Multilingual Proficiency. Of that group, 231 were certified as meeting the bilingual standards, according to a release from the County Office of Education. A dozen different languages were represented.

All students must submit an autobiography in English, followed by a 300-word essay in their other language on a designated topic. Those who pass the first step then went to the county office for face-to-face interviews in both languages. The scores from the autobiography, the essay and the interviews are combined to determine which students qualify for the seal. Continue reading “Four Denair High Students Recognized for Bilingual Skills” »

Hard-Luck Denair Nearly Pulls Out Victory Against Le Grand

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Teachable moments. Learning from mistakes and finding a way to better execute complicated football concepts.

That’s been the consistent message from first-year coach Anthony Armas and his staff to a young Denair High football team. And though the Coyotes’ record in the top-loaded Southern League may not show it, there have been signs of improvement even during a five-game losing streak.

Friday’s 46-40 loss to Le Grand was the latest example.

Denair used a powerful ground attack to build a 28-20 halftime lead at Jack Lytton Stadium. After the teams traded scores in the third quarter, the Coyotes still clung to a 40-39 midway through the final period.

But a fumble near midfield proved to be Denair’s undoing. Le Grand marched to what proved to be the winning score with about two minutes left on the clock. The Coyotes got the ball back one final time, but couldn’t make enough plays to drive for the go-ahead points.

“The kids were pretty devastated,” said Armas. “The game went back and forth. We couldn’t stop them and they couldn’t stop us. We just turned it over too many times.”

In addition to the final fumble, Denair also suffered an interception. It was the only pass the Coyotes (2-7, 1-5) threw all night.

Justin Steeley, Juan Barrera and Chase Pritt took turns running for yardage much of the game behind some nice blocks by their offensive linemen.

Barrera later left the game after reinjuring his knee. “Juan’s pretty banged up,” Armas admitted.

After getting roughed up by the Southern League’s powerhouses – Gustine, Orestimba, Ripon Christian and Mariposa – Denair found an equal in Le Grand (2-7, 2-4).

“We’re getting healthier along the offensive line,” Armas said. “That helps.”

The season – which began in the heat of August – will conclude on a crisp fall night with Friday’s game at Waterford (2-7, 0-6). It will be a final opportunity to turn the hard work and sweat and bruises into a much-needed victory.

“We’re just focused on trying to get better at what we’re doing,” Armas said. “That’s what we tell the kids each day in practice.”