Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 203

Best stair treads

Which stair treads are best?

Stairs, whether indoors or outdoors, can be dangerous for some people and even animals to use. Stair treads aim to remove much of the risks by providing a high-traction surface to your otherwise risky surfaces. They aren’t all about function though — many stair treads have fun and attractive patterns if you simply want to liven up your stairs.

The best stair treads are the Bungalow Flooring Waterhog Stair Treads, Boxwood Collection. The design is pleasingly floral, and they don’t require adhesive to stay put.

What to know before you buy stair treadsSize

Stair treads come in all sizes to best fit any size of stairs. Before shopping, measure your stairs’ surface area. Covering the entirety of it is unlikely, plus it rarely looks good. As such, aim to find stair treads that leave roughly 1-2 inches of empty space on the sides and no more than 1 inch of empty space on the top and bottom. Most stair treads are 22-36 inches long.

Quantity

Stair treads always come in packs, with most packs including between two and 15 treads. Pay close attention to how many treads are included. It can often be hard to parse through all the numbers thrown at you in product descriptions to find the count.

When determining how many treads you need, remember to count the floors as well. For example, if you have stairs with three steps, you should buy five treads: three for the actual steps and one each for the top and bottom floor.

Design

Most stair treads are simple one-color pieces, but others offer all manner of designs. Most of these designs are purely decorative, but others may have special properties, such as being reflective or glow-in-the-dark.

What to look for in quality stair treadsEasy installation

The best stair treads include a way to be installed. This usually takes the form of specialized pre-applied adhesive but bottoms covered in rubber can have plenty of grip without needing adhesive.

Common installation methods for treads that don’t include a method are double-sided tape and staples, both of which can damage the stairs underneath.

Resistances

There are three important resistances to check for when shopping for high-quality stair treads: moisture, stain and fade.

Moisture resistance is more important for outdoor treads as they’ll be in direct contact with rain, etc. Indoor treads also need resistance as the bottoms of your shoes will drag in moisture.Stain resistance focuses on fighting off the effects of mud, grass and any other debris shoes attract.Fade resistance also keeps your treads looking fresh. Outdoor treads will need to resist the bleaching effects of direct sunlight while indoor treads will need to resist higher levels of traffic.How much you can expect to spend on stair treads

Stair treads come in packs of varying costs making it best to focus on the price per tread. Low-cost treads typically cost less than $5 with midrange treads costing $5-$10 and high-cost treads running up to $20 or more.

Stair treads FAQHow should I prepare my stairs before adding treads?

A. Your stairs need to be as clean and as dry as possible before adding your new treads. Use a wet cloth to remove as much dirt, debris and any residues first, followed by thoroughly drying the stairs with a separate cloth. Don’t apply your treads until your stairs are completely dry, letting them air out after manually drying them if need be.

What’s the best adhesive to use with stair treads?

A. The best adhesive depends on what stair treads you have. Most stair tread products directly recommend certain types of adhesive to use with double-sided tape being the most frequently recommended. Better stair treads include peel-and-stick adhesives so you don’t need to worry about it.

What are the differences between indoor and outdoor stair treads?

A. The main differences are material and level of traction. Outdoor stair treads are usually made of rubber or plastic so they can best resist all the effects of weather. They also typically have higher levels of traction as many outdoor stairs have no guardrail to hold on to.

What are the best stair treads to buy?Top stair treads

Bungalow Flooring Waterhog Stair Treads, Boxwood Collection

What you need to know: The leaf pattern adds a little touch of elegance compared to plain treads.

What you’ll love: They’re available in seven colors and four sizes and can be used indoors and out. Each square yard of tread can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water. They use a rubber grip underneath that can hold to any surface.

What you should consider: It only includes four treads per pack, making it expensive — even more so for the larger-sized treads. Some consumers had issues with the treads curling up on the ends.

Top stair treads for the money

EdenProducts Nonslip Carpet Stair Treads

What you need to know: These are perfect for indoor stairs.

What you’ll love: They measure 8 inches by 30 inches and come in five colors and multiple pack sizes. It uses an anti-moving backing, not an adhesive, so your stairs remain undamaged. They can be cleaned via vacuum or by tossing them in your washing machine.

What you should consider: The adhesive on the back struggles to stick to slick stairs. They are shipped folded over and need to be pressed flat before installing them.

Worth checking out

LifeGrip Antislip Traction Treads

What you need to know: These are an excellent purchase for outdoor stairs.

What you’ll love: These come in a pack of 10 and are available in three sizes. They come in four designs — standard black, black and yellow caution, black with a glow-in-the-dark strip and black with a reflective strip. Installation is as easy as peeling and sticking.

What you should consider: The adhesive may come undone in harsh weather conditions. They are packaged in a wound-up roll, so they need to be flattened before installation.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Best Nest thermostat

Which Nest thermostat is best?

Smart thermostats are one of the best ways to keep your home at a comfortable temperature while simultaneously saving money on your energy bill every month. Without a doubt, Google Nest devices lead the pack when it comes to overall functionality, and many would say aesthetics as well.

If looking for the most advanced functionality and the highest level of compatibility with various HVAC units, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Generation should be your go-to choice. It offers machine learning and boasts the company’s Farsight feature that automatically lights up when it detects you in the room. Also, it comes in several metallic finishes that give it a sleek look.

What to know before you buy a Nest thermostatNest thermostats can save you money

Many people buy Nest thermostats simply for their convenience. They integrate with Alexa for voice control and also operate remotely via the associated application. There is another excellent reason for buying a Nest thermostat, though, and that is they can save you money.

Based on reports published by Google, installing a Nest thermostat in the home saves consumers an average of 15% on their cooling bills and 10-12% on their heating bills. If you prefer to get your information from unbiased third parties, you’ll be interested to learn that many actual users say they save from $10-$20 a month.

Nest thermostats accomplish this in several ways, including scheduling, machine learning, HVAC monitoring and geofencing. You can also improve your Nest’s ability to save you money by adding sensors in different rooms of your home.

Energy usage reports

Nests tracks your HVAC system’s energy use and produce a monthly report. The report shows metrics, including how much the system runs, how energy use compares month-to-month, the impact of weather on energy use and more. With this information, you’ll be more aware of your energy usage, so it will be easier to make informed decisions that can save you additional money on your heating and cooling bills.

Compatibility

Nest thermostats are compatible with most HVAC systems, but not all. The few systems that are not compatible include proprietary and high-voltage systems, millivolt heaters, microcontroller systems that lack a C-wire and solid-fuel systems. They may also not work with systems that use wired remote sensors. A complete list of compatible systems is available on the company’s support website.

Features to look for in a Nest thermostatMachine learning

The Nest Learning and Nest E models have a machine learning feature that will automatically create a custom schedule based on your usage habits. Use the associated app to adjust the temperature as needed. Over time, the thermostat learns household preferences, removing the need for manual adjustments. This feature is the default setting, but you can turn it off.

Scheduling

The basic Nest Thermostat, the company’s most affordable model, doesn’t have machine learning. However, it can still save you money through the use of its scheduling feature. During the initial setup, it prompts the user to set a heating and cooling schedule manually. Alternatively, users can use the Quick Schedule feature, which creates a program based on the national average’s most efficient schedule.

Display

Your Nest thermostat may have a frosted mirror display that blends in with the outer ring or a high-resolution color display, depending on your chosen model. Both feature easy-to-read digits, but the high-resolution color display also boasts Farsight, which allows it to automatically light up and show the time, current temperature, target temperature and weather when it detects you across the room.

Housing color and material

Most nest thermostats come in several colors so that you can match them to the decor of your home. Depending on the model you choose, it may have a metal ring around the exterior or an all-plastic housing.

How much does a Nest thermostat cost?

Nest thermostats cost $100-$250, but you can find more expensive packages bundled with up to three remote sensors.

Nest thermostat FAQAre Nest thermostats difficult to install?

A. Most people will find the Nest thermostat relatively easy to install in 30 minutes or less as long as you already have all of the existing wiring. If you need to install new wiring and aren’t familiar with electrical work, it may be better to hire a professional.

Do Nest thermostats work without Wi-Fi?

A. A Nest thermostat can function without an internet connection, but functionality is limited to the programmable, nonsmart thermostat.

What is the best Nest thermostat to buy?Top Nest thermostat

Google Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Generation

What you need to know: Google’s most advanced model, the Nest Learning 4th Generation, includes tons of features that save money without sacrificing comfort.

What you’ll love: It has a premium look with its bright, high-resolution display and a metallic ring available in several finishes. Also, it offers the Farsight feature so you can easily see the current temperature and other pertinent information from across the room.

What you should consider: It tends to stand out noticeably on a wall rather than blend in with it.

Top Nest thermostat for the money

Google Nest Thermostat

What you need to know: The affordable price of the basic Nest Thermostat makes it a good choice for those on a tight budget who still want to give their HVAC smart functionality.

What you’ll love: You can manually program it with a custom schedule that fits your lifestyle, and the mirrored display gives it a discreet look that blends into walls well.

What you should consider: It isn’t compatible with as many HVAC systems as other models.

Worth checking out

Google Nest Thermostat E

What you need to know: Other than Farsight, The Nest Thermostat E offers nearly all the same functionality as the Nest Learning 4th Generation but at a lower price.

What you’ll love: It automatically adjusts itself to an eco-friendly temperature when you leave the house, and it notifies you with a leaf logo when you have manually chosen an energy-saving temperature.

What you should consider: It only comes in white.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

The best dog crate

Which dog crates are best?

Having a safe and comfortable place to retreat to when you feel tired or stressed is a must for everyone, even your dog. A crate can provide your pup with their own private spot to relax when they’re afraid or need some down time. Additionally, crates are an invaluable tool when potty training your puppy or when they’re still learning what not to chew.

Some crates are perfect for traveling with your pet, and others are built into furniture to be less disruptive to your home’s interior design. Midwest Homes for Pets Life Stages Folding Metal Crate is easy to assemble and it folds down for storage.

What to know before you buy a dog crateSize

Dogs come in all different sizes, and so do their crates. It feels natural to select a large crate for your dog, but smaller spaces actually make them feel more secure. You want the crate to be large enough for your dog to comfortably stand, lie down, sit and turn around. To translate this concept into inches, measure your dog from their nose to the base of their tail and from the floor to the top of their head when sitting. Add 2-4 inches to these measurements, and these are the approximate dimensions on the proper kennel size for your dog.

Open vs. closed sides

Some dog crates, like those made from wire, have open sides. A crate with open sides is better for airflow, which is important if you live somewhere hot or your dog’s crate is used outside. This type of crate can keep your dog cool and allow you to keep a closer eye on them.

Crates with enclosed sides make for a cozy, warm place for your dog to relax. If there’s a draft where you place the dog crate, enclosed sides can protect your dog. Enclosed sides can also give your dog a stronger sense of security while inside their crate. If you’re traveling with a dog in a crate, this can help them feel less exposed. You can achieve an enclosed effect with an open-sided crate by placing a blanket over it when it’s cold or at night.

Escape-proof

If you’re purchasing a crate for your dog to keep them safe while you’re gone, it’s important to consider how easy it is for them to escape the crate you’ve chosen. Dogs most often escape by chewing, manipulating the locking mechanism or using force to bend a hole large enough for them to slip out.

A dog determined to get out can easily chew through fabric crates used for travel. Dogs can also chew flimsy connecting parts that lead to the crate falling apart. A bored dog can figure out how to open latches in a surprisingly limited amount of time. While having a secure crate is important, the easiest way to prevent your dog from trying to escape is to make sure they’re crate-trained and not left for too long inside it.

What to look for in a quality dog crateMaterial

Plastic: Plastic dog crates are usually solid on the sides and the back with a wire door on the front. These dog crates are lightweight and may have a handle attached on the top for travel. To clean a plastic crate, simply spray it down with a hose. The enclosed sides make your dog feel safe and secure but can lead to a hotter internal temperature because there’s less airflow. These types of crates are popular for use in the car or when flying with your dog.

Wire: Wire dog crates are a smart choice for use inside the home. They have excellent airflow to keep your dog cool if you live in a hot climate. Most have a removable plastic tray in the bottom that makes for easy cleaning. They’re often adjustable, and you can section them off to accommodate your dog’s growth. Many are foldable, which makes them easy to transport, except that the metal wiring can be heavy. Some nervous dogs might not like the open sides because it makes them feel exposed.

Fabric: If you’re looking for the easiest crate to travel with, a fabric crate is the way to go. These crates are extremely lightweight, foldable and may come with straps or a storage bag. With their soft construction material, fabric crates can be more comfortable for your dog to lounge in. If your dog is an escape artist, fabric crates aren’t the right choice since they’re easily chewed through. They’re also much more difficult to keep clean than plastic or wire crates.

How much you can expect to spend on a dog crate

The price of a dog crate has a lot to do with the size you purchase. If you have a smaller dog, you can expect to spend between $20 for a wire crate and $50 for a fabric crate. For larger dogs, you can expect to spend $100-$150.

Dog crate FAQHow long can my dog stay in a crate?

A. Adult dogs can be in their crate for 6-8 hours. However, according to PetMD, if you’re going to crate your pet all day while you’re at work, you really shouldn’t expect them to be in the crate all night too. Puppies can only stay in a crate for 2-4 hours at a time, as they can’t hold it as long.

How do I crate train my dog?

A. Crate training can take up to 6 months and requires patience and persistence. It involves slowly getting your dog used to their crate with positive reinforcement.

What’s the best dog crate to buy?Top dog crate

Midwest Homes for Pets Life Stages Folding Metal Crate

What you need to know: This is a rugged, well-made crate that collapses for easy storage.

What you’ll love: This crate comes in six different sizes and can be set up without any extra tools. The bolt and latch system is tamper-free, and the crate comes with a 1-year warranty.

What you should consider: This crate is heavier than other similar models.

Top dog crate for the money

Petmate Two-Door Top Load Kennel

What you need to know: A great crate for dogs under 20 pounds, this crate has a top latch to allow you to pet or soothe your dog.

What you’ll love: This is a well-constructed dog crate with solid plastic sides and two doors. It’s available in two different sizes and three different colors.

What you should consider: The assembly might be difficult, and some reviews note discrepancies in the listed dimensions.

Worth checking out

Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel

What you need to know: This dog crate is a good choice for a pet owner who wants something versatile.

What you’ll love: This crate is perfect for air travel, as it meets most airline carriers’ requested specifications, and for at-home training. It’s made of durable recycled plastic and has a wire door.

What you should consider: Putting this crate together and taking it apart is difficult.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

High School girls’ basketball: Salinas, Palma extend CCS playoff runs

SALINAS — No one is sure, or will say if it was an ill-attempted shot by Jennifer Rivera or just a perfect pass to a wide-open Peyton Edwards.

The result was all that mattered.

“Lets just say it worked,” Salinas High girls basketball coach Jens Gordon said.

Edwards’ basket with four seconds left Tuesday lifted Salinas to a 40-38 win over Santa Teresa and into the Central Coast Section Division I semifinals at ‘The Corral’.

Salinas, which was hosting its first playoff game since 2020, has won nine straight home playoff games. It will visit Los Gatos — 48-34 winners over Branham on Thursday at 7 p.m.

“I have watched some film of them (Los Gatos),” Gordon said. “When I looked at the bracket, I saw that they were on our side of it. I will put the best game together plan I can. That’s my only job.”

The Wildcats, whose lineup includes a pair of 6-foot-2 standouts, won the Santa Clara Valley De Anza League with a 12-0 record and is 17-8 overall. Two years ago, they won the CCS Division I title.

“They like to go inside,” said the 6-foot-9 Gordon said. “If I had height like that, I’d be going inside too. They are No. 1 for a reason.”

Champions of the Gabilan Division, Salinas (19-7) is 14-1 in its last 15 games.

Salinas, who was trailing by one with 20 seconds left in the game, tied it at 38 when Rivera hit a free throw, finishing with a team high 12 points.

A tenacious Salinas defense got the ball back, where Rivera brought the ball up court before finding Edwards inside the paint for an easy basket.

The Cowboys built an early nine-point halftime lead, holding Santa Teresa to four points in the second quarter.

“Things were going our way,” Gordon said. “Then they hit a couple of 3-point shots. We turned it over twice and the momentum shifted. We let them back in the game.”

Alice Uchida added 11 points for Salinas, while Edwards finished with eight.

Division V

Palma 51, Cristo Rey 43: Starring a double-digit deficit in the first quarter on the road, Palma coach Robbie Johnson ditched his game plan.

Abandoning a man defense, Johnson went to a zone defense, with a box-and-one on Cristo Rey’s sharpshooter, slowing her down to get back in the game.

“I had watched a lot of film of them,” Johnson said. “I thought we had a good game plan. That went out the window really quick. We made a lot of adjustments on the fly.”

The results were immediate as the Chieftains regrouped, advancing to the CCS Division V semifinals, where they will face top seed Castilleja of Palo Alto on Thursday at 6 p.m.

“I have not seen any film on them yet,” Johnson said. “At this stage, it’s about adjustments. We’ll put together a game plan and see what happens.”

Castilleja beat Pacific Collegiate 65-34 to improve to 19-3 overall. It finished second in the West Bay Skyline League to Harker. It is ranked 13th in the section.

Seeded No. 5, Palma, which brought girls back to campus after a 60-year absence, is 22-3 on the season, having finished second in the Cypress Division to St. Francis of Watsonville.

Aveena Ducusin collected a double-double for Palma with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Frankie Rossi and Natalie Aguon each had 11 points, while Carolina Lorca finished with six points and 14 boards.

Division I

Evergreen Valley 46, Alisal 45: Battling injuries all season, including the loss of arguably the best player in the county for the entire second half of the season, the Trojans nearly pulled off an upset in the Division I quarterfinals.

“What a great story with all the adversity we faced this entire season,” Alisal coach Claudia Moran said.

Seeded No. 7 in the tournament, the Trojans still won 16 games this season, beating Milpitas in the second round of the Division I playoffs last Saturday.

Mia Rivera scored 10 points for Alisal, with Aileen Gonzalez and Lucy Peinado each finishing with nine points.

Division IV

Menlo 61, Pacific Grove 27: A milestone season came to an abrupt end as the Breakers fell to top seed and reigning two-time CCS Division IV champion Menlo.

Champions of the Mission Division, Pacific Grove (20-6) came into the game having gone 14-1 in its last 15 games, producing a county best 12-game winning streak.

The Breakers advanced to the quarterfinals after a 54-50 overtime win over Stevenson last Saturday.

Division III

Pioneer 49, Soledad 43: A turbulent season came to a close for the Aztecs, who gave No. 4 seed Pioneer a scare before falling by six in the Division III quarterfinals.

Soledad (15-11) changed coaches two-thirds through the season for undisclosed reasons, dropping six of their last seven Gabilan Division games.

The Aztecs, who won the Mission Division title in 2024, opened the postseason with a new lease on life, knocking off North County to advance to the quarterfinals for the second time in three years.

 

High School boys’ basketball: Carmel, Palma advance to CCS semifinals

CARMEL — Recreating a competitive game-like environment is every coaches concern when you’re forced to sit around for 11 days between games.

“You can’t recreate the game stress and sharpness of an actual game,” Carmel boys basketball coach Kurt Grahl said. “You try and simulate things in practice. It’s just not the same.”

Fortunately, the championship pedigree that several of his players possess, either from winning a Central Coast Section Division IV basketball title last year, or being a part of a State football championship run this past fall, came to the forefront.

Marcus Togneri hit two free throws with 30 seconds to extend the lead to three, before Ty Arnold stole a pass and scored on a layup with eight seconds left in Carmel’s 47-42 win over Soquel in the Division IV quarterfinals.

The No. 2 seeded Padres (18-6) will host No. 3 Half Moon Bay — 66-59 winners over Pacific Grove — on Thursday for a spot in the section finals for the second straight year.

“Half Moon Bay runs a lot of different sets and runs them well,” Grahl said. “It’s a tough team to guard with multiple guys that can hit shots. We have to be disciplined on defense.”

The Gabilan Division champion Padres, who are 16-2 in their last 18 games, failed to hold a 10-point cushion in the third quarter and found themselves trailing in the fourth before regrouping. Togneri’s two free throws gave them a three-point lead with 28 seconds left.

“Soquel kept hanging around,” Grahl said. “We had stretches where we did not execute. Things we routinely do, we struggled with. We had flashes. But we struggled to make the correct reads on a consistent basis.”

The Knights (14-14) came into the game having won four of their last five games, knocking off Terra Nova on Saturday in the second round of the playoffs.

“Some of that championship pedigree with this group showed up,” Grahl said. “We made some plays to survive and advance. It’s playoff time. It is what you have to do. We had to gut it out.”

With two-time all-county guard Simeon Brown limited because of the flu, Hudson Rutherford led the Padres with 15 points, while Warren Blut added 14.

Half Moon Bay 66, Pacific Grove 59: Starring at a 19-point deficit in the second half, the Breakers made a furious fourth quarter run at Half Moon Bay, getting as close as four with 1:30 left before falling to the No. 3 seed in Division IV.

“We were within four and had the ball,” Pacific Grove coach Dan Powers said. “I think we led the state in close games that didn’t go our way.”

Pacific Grove dropped three games in the Gabilan Division in overtime and two others by five points or less, finishing the year 13-13.

“We moved up to the Gabilan Division and competed hard,” Powers said. “I have to do a better job and get us in a better position to win those close games. We had a lot of growth this year.”

Powers has just one senior on the roster in Gideon Llantero, as three sophomores and a pair of juniors start for Pacific Grove.

Brody Edmonds collected a double-double for Pacific Grove with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Andrew Nimri finished with 22 points, while Gabriel Valencia tallied 18.

Division V

Palma 61, Crystal Springs Upland 37: The Chieftains are headed to the Division V semifinals, outscoring Crystal Springs 27-9 in the third quarter to turn a game in doubt into a route.

As a result, the No. 2 seeded Chieftains will get another home game on Thursday, facing No. 3 Shasta Summit (22-3) of Daly City for a spot in the Division V title game.

The Black Bears cruised to a 74-42 win over MacDonald of San Jose. Last year Shasta Summitt fell in the Division V title game to Oakwood of Morgan Hill.

“I’ve watched them,” first year Palma coach Brian Driscoll said. “They seem like they are very connected. They play hard. They have an elite guard.”

Perhaps feeling the effects of an 11-day layoff following the Gabilan Division season, the Chieftains (20-6) held a 24-17 halftime lead before erupting for 27 points in the third quarter alone.

“Crystal had a couple of playoff games under their belt,” Driscoll said. “We couldn’t get going in the first half. It can be tricky having an 11-day layoff when you’re used to playing two and sometimes three times a week.”

JJ Saucedo led three players in double figures for Palma 17 points, while Tai Suich added 14 points and Soren Roberts 12, with JT Harreld nearly compiling a double-double.

“It took us a little bit to find our stride,” Driscoll said. “We had great competitive spirit. Our guys share the ball. It’s a very unselfish team.”

Division III

Burlingame 67, Monterey 64: Once the shock wears off, it will set in that the Toreadores will not have a shot to defend their State Divisional title.

A 3-point shot at the buzzer to force overtime and save Monterey’s season didn’t drop as it was ousted from the Division III playoffs by a familiar postseason rival in Burlingame.

“We deserved to lose,” Monterey coach Greg Daniels said. “We weren’t committed to doing the little things. We weren’t disciplined enough tonight. We got outplayed, outcoached. That’s what happens in the playoffs when you don’t execute.”

The Toreadores (19-6) are no strangers to Burlingame, having faced them five times in the last eight years in the playoffs, beating them in 2023 for their third CCS Division III title.

“The margin of error is very small in the playoffs,” Daniels said. “We’ve preached that all year. We worked on our weaknesses all year on attention to detail, the discipline part of the game. Burlingame wanted it more than us.”

Monterey struggled in big moments in the final eight minutes, missing four free throws alone in the fourth quarter, ultimately the difference in the game.

Jamar Aquino led Monterey with 21 points, while Dekota Ordonio finished with 18 and JJ Roth 11. Quinn Johnson chipped in with eight points.

Last year Monterey went on the road and logged over 1,500 miles in winning five playoff games in the State Northern California Division IV tournament, capping their magical run with the county’s second ever state basketball title.

“I forgot how it felt to lose a playoff game,” Daniels said. “I will eventually get over it and start thinking about next year and how we can get better. It’s going to hurt for a while. We have to improve as a coaching staff. We need to put the younger kids in a better position to succeed.”

High School boys’ soccer: Reyes’ PK goal lifts Alvarez into CCS DI finals

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Moments after blocking a penalty kick in sudden death overtime, Alvaro Reyes asked if he could attempt a penalty kick as Alvarez’s six shooter.

Having arguably one of the best soccer seasons of any goalie in the section this season, the 6-foot-2 Reyes created pandemonium with his leg Tuesday.

Reyes sent a shot screaming through the net, lifting the Eagles to a dramatic 5-4 penalty kick win over No. 2 seed Mountain View in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs.

“After your fifth kicker, you have to assign another five if the game is still tied,” Alvarez coach Gabriel Campos said. “He asked to shoot. It was right after his block. It was the perfect move. You could tell he wanted it.”

The Gabilan Division champion Eagles, who have already sealed a spot in the State Northern California tournament, will face top seed Bellarmine for the section title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Santa Clara University.

Alvarez, who has set a school record for wins at 20-0-2, is the defending CCS Division III champions. Bellarmine has won 17 CCS Division I titles, with its last coming in 2023.

The West Catholic Athletic League champions best Westmont 2-0 to improve to 17-2-3 this season — 14-1-1 in their last 16 matches on the pitch.

“I’ve caught a couple games on film of them,” Campos said. “To be honest, I try not to look too far ahead. I only review the opponent that’s coming up. Bellarmine is similar to Serra in its physicality. They have to respect what we do as well.”

A goal from Jorge Hernandez on an assist from Omar Lopez was Alvarez’s only goal in regulation. Neither team mustered a goal in overtime, forcing the match to penalty kicks.

Reyes, who finished with 10 saves between the pipes to give him 115 on the season, made two big stops to set himself up for his game winning heroics.

The Eagles will go into their CCS title match riding a 10-game winning streak.

“The word destiny doesn’t intel us at all,” Campos said. “There was some adversity tonight. This is what we’ve been working for all year. We’ve been knocking down one brick at a time. We’ve made some noise. We need to bring this home.”

Warriors swat Hornets, 128-92, for fourth straight win

SAN FRANCISCO — Steph Curry jumped up and down in front of his seat on the Warriors’ bench early in the first quarter, playfully taunting his brother for missing a technical free throw.

What’s really funny is how much the Warriors’ outlook has changed since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline.

Had the Warriors stayed on their pre-Butler course, Tuesday’s Hornets game may have only been noteworthy because of the club’s miniature halftime ceremony for their 2015 championship team. Instead, it was the seventh game with Butler, and their sixth win.

Against a comical Hornets roster (Curry may as well have been laughing at how overmatched his hometown team was), the Warriors (31-27) cruised to a 128-92 victory. They didn’t even need to play Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green in the fourth quarter, giving the veterans the luxury of watching a blowout from the bench for a second straight game.

Butler has changed everything. Before him, there were no automatic wins — no matter the schedule disadvantage or talent disparity. Now they’re not just beating teams, they’re torching them; in seven games with Butler, the Warriors have now outscored opponents by a cumulative 122 points. And he hasn’t even shot the ball well at all yet as he still finds his footing.

“A lot,” Butler said when asked how much fun he’s having. “I really enjoy being in this locker room, being around these guys. Obviously, it’s fun to win. I get to be myself every possession, on and off the court.”

The Warriors swarmed defensively, holding Charlotte to 53 points on 31% shooting and forcing 18 turnovers before the 16-minute garbage time. Butler and Green especially wreaked havoc, communicating and blowing up Charlotte actions on the back end.

Golden State’s stated goal of the sixth seed is well within their sights. During the All-Star break, their odds at attaining it hovered around 6%, per Basketball Reference. They’ve since roughly quadrupled. They’re now less than a game behind the Clippers for sixth and have slid past the Mavericks into eighth place in a clustered Western Conference. Steve Kerr jokingly pumped his fists when notified of their eighth-place status at the postgame podium.

The 14-win Hornets had neither their two best players, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, nor rotation mainstays Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Tre Mann, and Josh Okogie. They were on the second night of a back-to-back, serving a win on a platter for the Warriors.

“We did what we were supposed to do tonight,” Kerr said.

Golden State tested out a trick 1-3-1 zone defense look they’ve rarely deployed over the years (though one that Butler’s Heat teams went to often). Nothing about the Hornets roster obviously stands out to warrant a zone, so perhaps the Warriors were just using the game as an opportunity to take the scheme for a spin.

Even though Butler didn’t shoot the ball well, he hauled in eight rebounds and dished five. He also served as their life jacket in the minutes Curry sat, giving the two-time MVP a sense of ease as he watched from the sidelines.

Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | What Steve Kerr wants Jonathan Kuminga to learn from Jimmy Butler Golden State Warriors | Dawn of the Warriors’ dynasty: How Steve Kerr built a new culture Golden State Warriors | Civil rights icon Harry Edwards to join Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame alongside Alex Morgan, Joe Rudi and others Golden State Warriors | Kurtenbach: Jimmy Butler has the Warriors looking and feeling like themselves again. Adjust your expectations accordingly Golden State Warriors | What the Warriors have learned so far about Jimmy Butler, their new ‘designated driver’

Gary Payton II made a nice contribution off the bench, scoring 11 points in his first 11 minutes. He and Draymond Green connected on a pair of gorgeous interior passing combinations for dunks, extending Golden State’s first-half lead to 19. A Moses Moody 3-pointer in the corner on a perfectly executed side-out-of-bounds play gave them a 56-41 lead entering halftime — at which the team honored their 2015 title squad.

Green put the Warriors back up 20 with a one-handed jam off a feed from Butler. Then he dished a bounce pass to Butler for another bucket.

Butler has given the Warriors swagger up and down the roster. He has slotted role players like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody into positions they can thrive in while completely invigorating Curry and Green. The big man in particular has been playing with impressive verve as he tries to make good on his championship declaration.

“I don’t see why we can’t win every single game,” Butler said. “I don’t know if that will happen. But to the best of my ability and our abilities, that’s what we’re going to try to do.”

The Warriors started the second half on a 17-5 run. With members of the first championship team in the building, so was their patented third-quarter dominance.

Curry got sparse “M-V-P” chants as he stepped up to the foul line for a technical free throw.

Unlike his brother, he sank it. As if he needed more bragging rights over little bro.

What Steve Kerr wants Jonathan Kuminga to learn from Jimmy Butler

SAN FRANCISCO — Before the Warriors took on the short-handed Hornets at home on Tuesday night, Steve Kerr met with Jonathan Kuminga to watch some film.

The two reviewed his clips from earlier this year, but also added a new wrinkle: Jimmy Butler plays.

Kuminga has been sidelined by a severe, Grade 3 ankle sprain since Jan. 4. He’s been scrimmaging, which is one of the final steps toward getting cleared. When he returns, he’ll join the paragon of the Warriors’ newfound swagger in Butler. He could be somewhat of a model for the 22-year-old to take another leap.

“I think Jimmy’s the perfect guy for JK to emulate,” Kerr said. “What makes Jimmy special is that he doesn’t try to be special. He plays fundamental basketball. The constant fundamental play, he never turns it over, just makes the simple play over and over again. I want JK to learn some of that. He’s so explosive. I think it’s always hardest for the guys who are the most talented to make decisions because they’ve got too many options at their disposal. So I’m hoping that he can learn from Jimmy.”

Butler said he’ll “of course” take time to mentor Kuminga, spending time with him to impart his basketball philosophy. Butler is among the league’s best at drawing fouls, which is also a strength of Kuminga’s — but one that could be honed even more if Butler passes along some tricks of the trade.

Butler has been playing off two feet since college, a trait the Warriors love. It helps him limit turnovers and execute smart decisions under pressure, making him their “designated driver.” Kuminga’s more of a one-footed jumper in the lane, with elite athleticism to rise above defenders and finish at the rim.

“Understanding that attacking the rim, nothing there, jump stop, pass the ball — that’s a great basketball play,” Kerr said. “Especially for us, because Steph Curry’s on the other end of the play a lot.”

After their blowout win over Charlotte, the Warriors are 6-1 since acquiring Jimmy Butler, the six-time All-Star. Butler has been a revelation, fitting in seamlessly on both ends as a communicative, physical player.

The Warriors have won four straight games for the first time since their 12-3 start in November. They’re rolling. But Butler’s not worried about re-integrating Kuminga back into the mix.

“I think it’s going to be easy,” Butler said. “Hella athletic. Can shoot it, can score in a multitude in a multiple ways. And can guard. Can definitely guard. So I think he’s going to come back and do what he’s doing. My job is to just make it easier on him. So, come on back and help us get some dubs.”

Kuminga was playing the best ball of his career before his injury. He racked up double-digit points in 17 straight games — including three 30-point games — while making a consistent impact defensively and on the boards.

The team plans to bring Kuminga off the bench whenever returns, just like they were doing before his injury. The Warriors have maneuvered their rotation to play Curry with four bench players at times, so it’s easy to imagine Kuminga slotting into those lineup configurations as another shot-creator.

Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Warriors swat Hornets, 128-92, for fourth straight win Golden State Warriors | Dawn of the Warriors’ dynasty: How Steve Kerr built a new culture Golden State Warriors | Civil rights icon Harry Edwards to join Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame alongside Alex Morgan, Joe Rudi and others Golden State Warriors | Kurtenbach: Jimmy Butler has the Warriors looking and feeling like themselves again. Adjust your expectations accordingly Golden State Warriors | What the Warriors have learned so far about Jimmy Butler, their new ‘designated driver’

The training staff will determine exactly when Kuminga will return, but the upcoming five-game, four-city road trip appears to be a distinct possibility. Whenever he gets back on the court, he’ll have missed about two months, which is by far the longest absence of his career.

“The main thing I want for JK is to not press when he comes back,” Kerr said. “It’s not an easy spot to come back into. The team’s rolling. Contract stuff this summer, he’s going to have a lot on his mind. I want to make things as smooth and easy as possible. I want him to understand it’s not going to happen right away. He was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury, and it’s not going to happen the first night that he gets back to that level. It’ll take a little time.”

It’s particularly noteworthy that Kerr mentioned the “contract stuff.” The Warriors and Kuminga weren’t close on agreeing on a contract extension this summer, making him a restricted free agent at season’s end. Kuminga has been a model teammate this season, willing to start or come off the bench and apply coaching to the court. But that bag still has a way of distorting things for some players.

“I think as a leader, we have to just let him know that you can’t get it back in one day,” Draymond Green said. “You’re not going to get it all back in one day. But as a competitor, as a competitor, he does have the contract situation, all those things — naturally you want to press a little bit. You don’t get this far being someone who doesn’t want to make those things happen…I’ve been in contract situations before. That’s tough as hell to understand. You want to come back and make it all happen. You’ll drive yourself crazy, though. All of a sudden that first night doesn’t go well, you go home, you’re going nuts. I think he’s just got to come back and, more importantly than anybody else, he’s got to give himself some grace as he works himself back.”

Hornets injuries

LaMelo Ball is among a slew of Charlotte Hornets unavailable for Tuesday night’s game. The Warriors won three straight entering the contest, marking their first winning streak since their 12-3 start in November.

Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Tre Mann and Josh Okogie also didn’t suit up.

Taran Armstrong update

The Warriors signed Taran Armstrong to a two-way deal, though the transaction isn’t official yet so Kerr couldn’t comment.

Armstrong was listed on the official injury report as not with the team.

A 6-foot-6, 23-year-old point guard, Armstrong has averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in the top league in Australia.

2015 nostalgia party

The Warriors are celebrating their first championship team of the dynastic era by honoring Festus Ezeli, Brandon Rush and Marresse Speights at halftime. Each player took the podium to address the media before the game as well in front of a picture of them celebrating together in Cleveland.

They couldn’t believe how time has flown by and said they cherished the unique culture — on and off the court — that flourished 10 years ago. Speights is the director of player development at his alma mater of South Florida and Rush is coaching youth basketball.

“Being here is special,” Speights said. “Seeing that picture right there just brings back those feelings of winning and the parade and all that kind of stuff. It’s definitely a blessing. It changed all our lives.”

Trump says he will offer ‘gold cards’ for $5 million path to citizenship, replacing investor visas

By ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he plans to offer a “gold card” visa with a path to citizenship for $5 million, replacing a 35-year-old visa for investors.

Related ArticlesNational Politics | Musk has inside track to take over contract to fix air traffic communications system National Politics | Department of Education cancels critical teacher preparation grant National Politics | Trump directs government to consider possible tariffs on copper National Politics | White House says it ‘will determine’ which news outlets cover Trump, rotating traditional ones National Politics | Judge extends block on Trump administration’s sweeping freeze on federal funding

“They’ll be wealthy and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it’s going to be extremely successful,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the “Trump Gold Card” would replace EB-5 visas in two weeks. EB-5s were created by Congress in 1990 to generate foreign investment and are available to people who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people.

Lutnick said the gold card — actually a green card, or permanent legal residency — would raise the price of admission for investors and do away with fraud and “nonsense” that he said characterize the EB-5 program. Like other green cards, it would include a path to citizenship.

About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department’s most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. The Congressional Research Service reported in 2021 that EB-5 visas pose risks of fraud, including verification that funds were obtained legally.

Investors’ visas are common around the world. Henley & Partners, an advisory firm, says more than 100 countries around the world offer “golden visas” to wealthy individuals, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy.

Trump made no mention of the requirements for job creation. And, while the number of EB-5 visas is capped, Trump mused that the federal government could sell 10 million “gold cards” to reduce the deficit. He said it “could be great, maybe it will be fantastic.”

“It’s somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication, it’s a road to citizenship for people, and essentially people of wealth or people of great talent, where people of wealth pay for those people of talent to get in, meaning companies will pay for people to get in and to have long, long term status in the country,” he said.

Congress determines qualifications for citizenship, but Trump said “gold cards” would not require congressional approval.

Horoscopes Feb. 25, 2025: Rashida Jones, less is more; remember that this year.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Rashida Jones, 49; Chelsea Handler, 50; Sean Astin, 54; Tea Leoni, 59.Happy Birthday: Less is more; remember that this year. You only need to satisfy your soul. Don’t deny yourself the happiness you deserve; avoid the wrath of those in your life who try to dominate your world. Explore what makes you happy and adjust your routine and schedule. It’s up to you to take responsibility for your happiness. Live life your way; the result will benefit you and those you love. Your numbers are 7, 12, 20, 26, 33, 42, 47.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Channel your energy wisely. Don’t waste time on impossible situations you cannot change or negative individuals trying to rattle your nerves. Focus on using your energy to promote positive gain and to recognize and eliminate what causes you grief. Rise above, be kind and know when to distance yourself from unhealthy situations. 4 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Say no to toxic situations. Move toward peace of mind, even if your journey necessitates difficult choices. Put your time and effort into what’s uplifting and brings you joy. Adjust your skills and experience to fit a venue or position that allows growth, not inhibitions. 2 starsGEMINI (May 21-June 20): Broaden your scope of understanding. It’s easier to navigate life’s land mines if you know what’s detrimental to achieving what’s important to you. Distance yourself from users and abusers, and be kinder to your body, mind and soul. Choose change over temptations that mask problems rather than eliminate them. 5 starsCANCER (June 21-July 22): Be the light everyone looks to for guidance. Your wisdom, experience and gratitude will offer strength to loved ones and help you recognize what’s possible. Push forward and achieve. Life is about being true to yourself. Choose what makes you happy and infect those you love with positive support and wisdom. 3 starsLEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pay attention to your appearance and feelings. Address health issues or bad habits. Be a leader, not a follower — the one to make things happen instead of sitting on the sidelines observing and criticizing others. Choose to join forces with heartfelt people, and find meaning and purpose in making positive changes. 3 starsVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An unfamiliar environment will set your mind adrift. Bask in the anomaly of what’s possible if you stretch your mind and embrace new and exciting people and pastimes. Use your experience to enrich what’s new and exciting, and you’ll discover the power of positive change. Today is about growth. 3 starsLIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Spread the love. Compliment and lift those around you, and see what happens. Choose a jubilant approach to life; doors will open, and opportunities will manifest. Choose to be the light in the room and the one everybody wants to associate with, and you’ll discover the secret to success and happiness. 5 starsSCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Share ideas, lend a helping hand, expand your circle of friends and choose peace of mind and personal happiness over enticement, excess and putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Make choices based on facts, figures and the ability to compromise. Simple choices come easily when choosing right over wrong. 2 starsSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Observe, listen and summarize situations carefully. Stick to the rules and take the path that bypasses indulgent behavior and temptation. Put health, diet, lifestyle and intelligence first. There are opportunities available to you. Choose wisely, and you’ll be proud of your achievements. Personal gain and home improvements are heading your way. 4 starsCAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take your time. Rev your engine and head in a direction that honors your integrity, common sense and dignity. Refuse to bend or let someone take advantage of you. Speak up and stand up for what’s best for you. Protect your physical and emotional well-being and your reputation. 3 starsAQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look on the bright side of life, and you’ll attract positive people and input to help you decipher how to navigate your way forward. Make your home your sanctuary, where you feel safe and sound, spending time doing the things that make you happy with those who bring you joy. 3 starsPISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Love makes the world go round. Pick up the pieces you left behind, the people, pastimes and pleasures you miss, and fill your day with positivity and desire to see the good in others and manifest what matters most to you. Life is about choices; do what’s best for you. 3 starsBirthday Baby: You are giving, supportive and appreciative. You are energetic and understanding.1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.