Vintage High School coach Darol Smith is looking for big things out of Jordan Price and Kelsey Zeller, two returning players.

Both had very good junior season of girls basketball for the Crushers.

“For us to be real successful, they have to be at the top of their game all the time,” said Smith, who will play Price at a post position and Zeller as a wing. “They’ll pull the rest of the team with them.”

Price was the Offensive Player of the Year on the 2007-08 All-Napa County team. She led the Crushers in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game in Monticello Empire League games. She was also an All-MEL pick.

“She can run,” said Smith. “Inside is her strength. She holds her own. She can really play.”

Zeller was a First-Team All-County selection, averaging 7.9 PPG and 8.2 rebounds per game.

“Kelsey rebounds and runs,” said Smith, who is in his second year at Vintage.

Sarah Zuniga, coming back from knee surgery, runs the Crushers at point guard.

“She’s essential,” said Smith. “She’s like the quarterback. If we don’t have her, we’ll be struggling a little bit. She’s a big key, especially against teams that press us. She’s probably one of the fastest kids I’ve ever coached.”

Also returning off a 15-12 team are Gina Hillman (off guard), Katrina Husted (post/wing), Megan Decius (guard/forward) and Ricki Patterson (wing).

Vintage also welcomes three transfers: Marcy Chislom (post), Danielle Dezalel (wing) and Sydney Polk (post).

Chislom was Second-Team All-County for Napa Christian last year, averaging team bests of 13.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game at the center spot.

Boys Basketball

Coach Scott Thom said his three captains — Jeremiah Nicolis (point guard), Zach Wagner (power forward) and Ben Molinari (center) — are doing a very nice job of providing leadership and direction.

All three return off last year’s 6-20 team.

“These three captains have really taken these underclassmen under their wings and have really taken the time to go over plays, talk to them and just be there for them,” said Thom. “As a coach, it’s really nice to see.”

Molinari was named as the Newcomer of the Year on last year’s All-County team after leading the Crushers in scoring (10.8 PPG) and rebounding (4.4 RPG) as a sophomore.

Wagner was Honorable Mention All-County after averaging 4.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Robert Rojas, a transfer, was also named Honorable Mention last year, averaging 12.2 PPG and 8.5 RPG for Napa Christian as a forward. Rojas was one of the top newcomers in the Napa Valley last year.

Thom said the Crushers work hard at practice. 

“They’re not scared to get after it,” he said. “When you have kids like that, it makes coaching a pleasure. I’m really excited with this group just because of how hard they’re willing to work.”

Kenny Laprelle (guard/forward), Matt Scott (wing), Alex Peterson (wing), Sammy Davis (wing), David Oteminkinde (post) and Sean Chillberg (post) are also on the team. Chillberg is a transfer.

Wrestling

First-year head coach Bob Musante isn’t new to the program. He was an assistant under coach Jim Lanterman for 18 years.

When Lanterman stepped down after the 2007-08 school year, Musante was promoted to lead the program. Lanterman is staying on as an assistant.

“It’s a lot more paper work,” Musante said of the job. “It’s not going to be much different, we’re just switching positions. He’s been a great friend and he’s helping me a lot.”

Musante has changed up the schedule, entering the Crushers in the Healdsburg duals, which has Vacaville, Clovis and Red Bluff — just to name three schools — and the Natomas duals, a 32-team tournament.

“We’ll see how good we are,” said Musante. “We’re trying to go to some different, harder tournaments.”

Spyro Drossos (112 pounds), Dylan Solis (125), Steve Salinas (130), Chris Rapacon (140), Cody Urratia (145), Giovanne Valdez (152), Ryan Leija (160), Steve Arrambide (171) and Josh Knoell (215) are the team’s top wrestlers.

Also new is a second gym on campus, which the Crushers are using for practices. For years and years, they practiced in the school cafeteria.

Now they have enough room to put two mats on the gym floor.

“It’s a night and day difference. We have tons of room,” said Musante.

The Vintage girls team, meanwhile, has 10 wrestlers.

Some of the top competitors should be Taide Guerra-Martinez (107), Jonnarose Palma (112), Teresa Nieto (136), Christina Leport (138) and Mercedes Rivera (160).

Lanterman’s son, Rob, assists with the girls program.

Editor’s Note: The following is part of a series of winter sports previews throughout the Napa Valley. Today: Vintage High School and Napa Christian. Sunday: Napa High School and Trinity Prep. Monday: Justin-Siena High School and PUC Prep.