After 15 years and two league titles, Coach Mick Battaglini has decided it’s time to step down as the girls’ varsity basketball coach.

Taking over a program in 1993 that had only won one game the previous season was a challenge, but not as challenging as coaching girls. “I had always coached boys and I always thought I’d be a boys varsity coach,” said Battaglini, “but when the job opened up people convinced me it was a good opportunity, so I took it and I’ve never regretted it.”

His first step was to hire a JV coach, and he didn’t have to look farther than El Sausal Middle School. Battaglini contacted Bruce Powers who had been the 8th grade girls’ coach and asked him if he’d be interested in coaching the JV team at Alisal; Powers said yes and they’ve been together ever since. In fact, Battaglini and Powers have been together longer than any other coaches in the area, according to Battaglini.

To use a basketball term, hiring Powers was a slam dunk. “He already knew most of the girls, and vice-versa,” said Battaglini, “and he was passionate about the game.”



That passion showed when the team gathered in the summer when Powers told the group they would get a banner (win a championship).

Proving to be a prophet, the team won an MTAL title in 1997. “It was an amazing season,” said Battaglini. “The players were very focused going into the season and the local media jumped on the bandwagon once we started playing well in league.”

As special as that season was, the second title took a little longer. Moving to a revamped MBL proved to be a fresh start the team needed and in 2005 it culminated in an undefeated season and the team’s second league title. “The title game against Seaside was incredible,” said Battaglini. “It went back and forth and we ended up winning in overtime.” What made it even more special is that his friend, Michael James of JMS Video, recorded the game and provided copies for everyone. “I love watching the game,” said Battaglini, “because there was so much drama, and of course, because we won and completed a perfect season.”

However, most seasons are far from perfect, and that takes a toll. Battaglini says he hasn’t had a summer or winter break off from basketball in almost 20 years. “The only time I wasn’t involved with organized basketball was when I was at Chico from 1986-1989,” said Battaglini.

Basketball is a year round sport and has been since he took over. There is open gym, summer league, summer tournaments, and the regular season. He said what makes it hard is when the work doesn’t seem to pay off.

“We had years between the two championships that were tough, where I seriously thought about quitting,” said Battaglini, “but I stuck it out because I saw the potential for greatness in the underclassmen.”

He is quick to point out that it is not disappointment in this year’s team or a lack of potential in the underclassmen that has him leaving now; it’s more about the ever-changing coaching community.

“I start looking around at the other coaches who were around when I started and I realize that there aren’t any,” said Battaglini. “Also, I think it’s time for me to move on and give Coach Powers a chance to coach varsity and to bring one of my former players, Blanca Amezcua, up from El Sausal. My only regret is that this year’s freshman coach, Andrea Milligan, is leaving the area because I think the two of them would have been great together.

However, he is not leaving the cupboard bare. The team returns seven players, including All-Leaguer Gaby Pantoja, sophomore Dari Salvador, and a strong senior class-Alba Roland, Allegra Soto, Bryanna Martinez, Angela Velasco, and Mae Sugabo. “This team will be a force to reckon with next year, I just think it’s someone else’s time to bring a title home,” said Battaglini.