Preps Plus: Names and news

Basketball

Although the ultimate call will be made by those above him at Sacramento High School, Dragons boys basketball coach Derek Swafford wants to play in Division I next season.

Under new Sac-Joaquin Section rules, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country and boys and girls basketball teams will be able to compete in higher divisions than their enrollment places them in. One caveat: A school that moves up from its enrollment division must do so in all three sports.

The Dragons have dominated Division III boys basketball in recent years, and because of a steady enrollment decline at the school, they are expected to be placed in D-IV in the fall.

"Playing at D-IV, we'll get nothing out of that," Swafford said. "Even at D-III, we've pretty much done everything we can."

The Dragons lost the D-III state championship game this year after winning the California Interscholastic Federation Northern California title, captured D-III section titles in 2005 and 2007 and were runners-up in 2006 and 2008.

Swafford already has an impressive nonleague schedule that includes the renowned Modesto Christian and Gridley tournaments and a "showcase" matchup likely with an East Coast power in December in San Francisco.

"We need to try to challenge ourselves," he said. "It's a big step. But we have the staff and the players to do it."

• John DePonte has been named the Pleasant Grove boys coach.

DePonte coached the past two seasons at Valley, where he was 24-28.

DePonte replaces Lance Corgiat, who resigned amid a highly publicized players' revolt in January. Mat Bradley, Corgiat's assistant, served as interim coach.

– Bill Paterson

Swimming

These high school swimmers from the Sierra Marlins United States Swimming Team have announced their college swim plans, according to coach Jeff Pearson.

They are: Alyssa Anderson, Granite Bay, Arizona; Kristy Beninsig, Folsom, UC Irvine; Jenna Choi, Folsom, UC Davis; Michael Church, Oak Ridge, Cal Maritime; Lauren Clifford, El Dorado, Texas A Alyssa Conner, Granite Bay, Texas A Stephanie Dewante, Oak Ridge, San Diego State; Katharine Ernst, Folsom, Air Force; Bobby Klagge, Granite Bay, Cal State Bakersfield; Jon Macdonald, Rio Americano, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and Elyse Nguyen, Mira Loma, Kansas.

Also moving on to four-year colleges are Rachel Robertson, Rocklin, UC San Diego; Alexander Rossbach, Oak Ridge, UC Davis; Morgan Schlesinger, Granite Bay, SMU; Paige Treleven, Loretto, UCLA; Austin Vierra, Ponderosa, Dennison; Taylor Whitten, Roseville, Army; and Lauren Adams, Oak Ridge, San Jose State.

– Bill Paterson

Signings

Capital Christian senior Christina Thompson has received a full-ride basketball scholarship to Pacific. The 6-foot senior forward, a Bee All-Metro third-team selection, averaged 12.3 points and 11.8 rebounds for the Cougars this past season.

• Bradshaw Christian's Jessica Gregory, Roseville's Caitlin Pulver, Valley's Victoria Ramirez and Folsom's Paige Tucker have signed letters of intent to play soccer at Sacramento State.

– Bill Paterson