Fresh off a successful rookie season with the MLS’ Chicago Fire, Davis High graduate Jalil Anibaba will greet fans today at Soccer & Lifestyle, 517 Second St.

Anibaba, who finished his Blue Devil career as the 2006-07 California Player of the Year and went on to star at Santa Clara then North Carolina in college, was the ninth overall pick in the draft and had a strong season as a Chicago defender. Finishing with a bang, he earned the final MLS’ Player of the Week award of the 2011 season.

“It’s just a welcome back,” said Soccer & Lifestyle manager Adrian Garcia, who added that Anibaba will be there to take pictures, sign autographs and talk to community members from 4 p.m. “until the kids stop coming.”

“He had an amazing rookie season and there are tons of people excited to come see him. Everyone wants to congratulate him and say hello.”

Tons of local youth teams and coaches will be in attendance talking soccer with the city’s bright young star. Chicago Fire games and Anibaba highlights will be running on the televisions, and authentic jerseys and Anibaba T-shirts will be available for sale.

DHS girls soccer

At Thursday’s meeting, the Davis school board approved variable service agreements for several DHS coaches, including Sara Stone, who will take over as girls soccer coach starting this spring.

Stone, who is the daughter of longtime Blue Devil boys coach Ashley Yudin, replaces Allen Carlson, who retired earlier this year after leading Davis to a section championship.

A 1995 DHS graduate, Stone has been a coach for local club teams since 2006 and has experience as an assistant at both the high school and college level. After her Devil career, she went on to play at Fresno State and then caught on with the California Storm of the Women’s Premier Soccer League.

Hoops tryouts, camp

The Davis Hoops Wildcats AAU basketball program is holding tryouts for seventh-grade boys on Sunday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Old Dixon High, 455 A St. Players can access the gym from C Street.

There is no charge for tryouts, but players must bring a signed waiver that can be found at www.davishoops.com.

Tryouts for seventh-grade girls teams will be in early January.

In addition, Davis Hoops’ Holiday Basketball Camp for players in grades two through eight will be on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 28-29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Davis High School. Families can register online or call Jean Gelpi at (530) 304-4324.

Winter break activities

The Davis Police Department will host open gym at Davis High School’s South Gym, 315 W. 14th St., next Monday through Thursday. From 10 a.m. to noon, kids are invited to come for some rousing rounds of dodgeball. From noon to 3 p.m., the gym will be open for basketball.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 29, the Police Department has reserved Ron & Mary Brown Stadium at Davis High School for flag football. Games will be played between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The age recommendation for participants for open gym and flag football is between 7 and 12 years. Players do not need to bring any equipment. For questions, contact the department’s school resource officer, Eddie Ellsworth, at (530) 681-0762.

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