LJ b BB edged by Eastlake, 46-42

Sophomore Morgan Albers (22) defends

against Eastlake opponent in Dec. 26

contest. (Photo by Ed Piper)

 

 

La Jolla's well-distributed scoring among eight Vikings didn't provide enough power to offset turnovers and stretches of lower production, as Eastlake took a tight contest, 46-42, in the opening game of the 31st Annual Aztec Holiday Classic at Montgomery High School Dec. 26.

 

Freshman guard Reed Farley led Viking scorers with 12 points, including two three-pointers in the first quarter from behind the arc. Nic Skala added 8, as did fellow senior and captain Madigan Sepulveda-Sanders.

 

The red and black jumped out to a seven-point lead, 14-7, with a couple of minutes left in the first quarter. Several Vikings were subbed in early in the game, in addition to the starting five of Farley, Skala, Ladd Castellano, sophomore Morgan Albers, and Owen Porter.

 

Elijah Kerns had a basket as La Jolla beat the Eastlake press. Myles Polger provided some discipline and defense off the bench. Mark Rawdin, like Skala a member of the football team that played late into November, saw playing time.

 

But after leading 20-13 early in the second quarter, La Jolla squandered its lead and after a 25-2 run by the Titans into the third quarter saw itself down 35-25.

 

Said reserve guard Gaynor Blackmon: "It was a tough game. We probably need to play tougher in the middle (of the game), when we dipped down. Elijah played really well. Reed started out hot. It's just adjustments (we need to make).

 

 

Vikings guard Reed Farley battles Eastlake pressure in second
quarter. (Photo by Ed Piper)







 

 

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper





LJ g BB: Vikings club Cavers

5-11 senior forward Sierra Westhem

battles Caver Tatyana Hamlett near the

basket in third quarter action Dec. 5.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

 

 

The Vikings girls basketball team trounced San Diego 47-22 in their second game of the Sweet 16 Invitational at La Jolla Country Day School Dec. 5. Senior Sierra Westhem hit five of six three-point attempts on her way to scoring 17 points, while sophomore Madeleine Gates dominated the boards with 17 rebounds.

 

Gates also had five blocks against the Cavers, who only trailed La Jolla at the end of the first quarter 8-4 and 21-14 at halftime. La Jolla then proceeded to suffocate their opponent, building a 39-19 edge by the end of three quarters.

 

Three-point specialist Sophia Sowers recorded a fine stat line: 14 points, including four baskets from outside the arc, 4 rebounds, and one assist. Sowers and Westhem serve as team captains.

 

Gates, the 6-2 center, scored on 5 of 8 two-point field goals, with one assist and three steals.

 

The Vikings continue play in the Sweet 16 Invitational at LJCDS Dec. 6 and 7.

 

Remarked Gates with a smile after the victory: "It's nice not being the youngest on the team anymore." Kate Miller and Sakura Roberson are incoming freshmen on the 2013-14 squad coached by Dave Westhem.

 

 

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper





LJ BB: Sepulveda leads victory with 12 points

Myles Polger pulls up for a jump shot in closing minutes versus Monte Vista Dec. 4. The 6-foot senior guard had 7 assists in limited minutes of playing time. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Zach Duffy hit a nice jump shot, among other contributions, in an extended role off the bench as La Jolla's boys basketball team defeated Monte Vista handily, 55-34, Dec. 4.

"I've been shooting well lately," said the 6-1 junior guard said, "I mean, so why not shoot it, right?"

More importantly, Duffy, playing in his first year on the varsity, got minutes while the game still counted.

The Vikings stayed in their set offense, coach Paul Baranowski's priority, showing discipline and steadily pulling away from the Monarchs as the game progressed: 23-16 at halftime, 38-26 after the third quarter, 55-29 late in the fourth quarter.

Freshman guard Reed Farley had 16 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in an impressive stat line, and not even playing a full game with many substitutes filling in.

Monte Vista has talented athletes, but they showed inexperience on the basketball court and turned the ball over frequently.

Said senior Madigan Sepulveda-Sanders: "We really started to figure out what they were doing on defense. And their big guys on offense--one of them would only go right, the other one would only go left. So we really started to count on that."

The Vikings (2-1) next host Madison Fri., Dec. 6. Three team members coming over from football who haven't been able to play so far--Nic Skala, Mark Rawdin, and Grant Miller--will take part in their first practice Thurs., Dec. 5, and then be available to play from here on.

STATS: Points - Reed Farley 16, Sepulveda-Sanders 12, Sam Schneider 6. Assists - Polger 7, Ladd Castellano 4. Rebounds - Sepulveda-Sanders 6, Farley 4, Polger 3. Steals - Sepulveda-Sanders 3, Farley 3, Castellano 3, Polger 2, Duffy 2. Turnovers - Sepulveda-Sanders 2.

Sophomore Morgan Albers hits the floor to battle for the

ball with Monarchs' Isaiyah Kelly (21) in the fourth quarter

Dec. 4. (Photo by Ed Piper)



Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

LJ BB 73, Southwest 26

Max Scott drives toward hoop in fourth

quarter in Vikings' 73-26 win over

visiting Southwest Dec. 3.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

 

 

 

La Jolla's boys basketball team, following a lopsided loss to Kearny in their season opener the night before, played everyone and saw everyone score as the Vikings dismantled lowly Southwest 73-26 Dec. 3. Junior Owen Porter led scorers with 11 points.

 

The outmatched Raiders fielded only six players on their roster and quickly fell behind 17-3 in the first quarter on a three-pointer by Viking Sam Schneider. Senior Myles Polger hit a jump shot from the left side shortly after the timeout, followed by Michael Teller's 13-foot bucket to go up 21-7.

 

Coach Paul Baranowski subbed in his entire second platoon with 3:00 left in the quarter. Early in the second quarter, the remaining platoon of players were inserted as the hosts rolled to a 39-16 halftime lead.

 

The home crowd was small to begin the game, on a wet night outside and no rivalry opponent on the premises. More students filtered in toward the second half to fill out the student body cheering section.

 

"It was good seeing everyone out there," said reserve guard Gaynor Blackmon with a grin. "I think everyone scored, which is really fun for the whole team. Owen (Porter, another reserve) scored, I scored... I missed a few open layups."

 

La Jolla continues its pool play in the GameOnSports Challenge tournament tonight, Wed., Dec. 4, traveling to face Monte Vista in Spring Valley.

 

 

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper





LJ BB player outlook

Vikings' Mark Rawdin (23) defends near basket in summer league action July 14.

Rawdin is one of the taller La Jolla players at 6-4. (Photo by Ed Piper)

 

 

"I think that we could have a breakout season if we really come together as a team," commented guard Ladd Castellano on the eve of La Jolla's basketball season opener Dec. 2 at Kearny.

 

"I think my role on the team is to score and to be an energy type player. I'm really looking forward to the hard fought games versus teams like Cathedral, St. Augustine, and Mission Bay."

 

Castellano, a 17-year-old junior who prefers science and math on the academic side, goes on: "I would say we are trying to improve on our defense and our offensive efficiency. We look strong in our three-point shooting and our communication."

 

 

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Coach Baranowski: mission statement

Reed Farley (near lower left, in black jersey) reaches toward

passer while Grant Miller defends from behind in win over

Marysville-Pilchuck, WA, July 14. Also defending are

(from rear left) Ladd Castellano (top left), Owen Porter

(behind Miller), and Michael Teller. (Photo by Ed Piper)

La Jolla High boys basketball coach Paul Baranowski says the following regarding his mission statement: "My personal mission as a coach is to teach life skills, utilizing competitive interscholastic basketball as the primary instructional tool. I can think of no better environment which combines decision-making, group process, respect, accountability, and integrity."

Paul Baranowski, La Jolla High boys

basketball coach (Photo by Ed Piper)

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Viking boys BB: Effort, Attitude, Execution

Forward Madigan Sepulveda-Sanders (upper right)

interacts with fellow senior Nic Skala (5) in the offense

in UCSD Team Camp win over Marysville-Pilchuck,

Washington, July 14. (Photo by Ed Piper)

Coach Paul Baranowski says his La Jolla basketball team's mantra this season is "Effort, Attitude, Execution."

Regarding his expectations for the 2013-14 edition of Viking basketball, with the opener tomorrow, Dec. 2, the coach says: "At this point, I am cautiously optimistic regarding our outlook for the upcoming season.

"I see tremendous potential in this group. [See previous blog entry for lineup and roster.] The key will be their willingness to buy into the process. When the process becomes the focus, the desired product is a more likely outcome."

The roster at this writing includes 16 players: six seniors, eight juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman. All six seniors, including Madigan Sepulveda-Sanders, Sam Schneider, Elijah Kearns, Myles Polger, Michael Teller, and Nic Skala, return from last year. All 10 underclassmen are new to the varsity roster.

The Vikings' style, as demonstrated through last spring's and summer's games, continues to be their trademark team defense and team-oriented offense. No team member is taller than 6-5 or 6-4 (Madigan, Kearns, and Rawdin).


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Viking boys basketball outlook 2013-2014

La Jolla's Ladd Castellano pushes toward the middle in a

win over Marysville-Pilchuck, Washington, in the UCSD

Team Camp July 14. Castellano, a 6-2 junior guard, is

expected to make a major contribution this season

following a productive summer. (Photo by Ed Piper)

"I played on a club team. That helped me a lot," revealed Ladd Castellano, a junior at La Jolla, regarding the leaps and bounds of progress he showed in his basketball game during the past spring and summer through four team camps and tournaments. Castellano's work with his club team came in addition to La Jolla High tutelage and work.

Even between his play in the Madison spring league last April and May, and the skill level, confidence, and effectiveness he demonstrated in games in the San Diego State camp and Grossmont tournament in June, and the UCSD Team Camp in July, a difference was visible. Ladd blossomed and suddenly became a major leader on the La Jolla varsity squad.

The Vikings open 2013-14 play in a tournament game Monday, Dec. 3, at Kearny High, starting at 5 p.m. The tournament is the GameOnSports Challenge that Coach Paul Baranowski has entered his team in.

Baranowski announced his probable starters for the opener at Kearny: Castellano, Sam Schneider, Reed Farley, Madigan Sepulveda-Sanders, and Morgan Albers.

Zach Duffy and Myles Polger are likely to be the first ones in after the start.

Nic Skala, a "probable starter" in coach Paul Baranowski's projection as the season progresses, is just coming off a spectacular fall football season that ended Friday night with the Viking football team's loss to Monte Vista in the CIF Division IV semifinals.

Nic, as well as Mark Rawdin, probably won't play this first week of the season due to their changeover from football. Skala, returning to the varsity basketball squad from last year, won All-Western League First Team honors in football as a wide receiver. He used plenty of his leaping ability in a high-wire act snagging mid-air passes from quarterback Collin Rugg in the Vikings' high-powered offense.

Farley is a freshman, having just enrolled in high school this fall. He made an immediate impact when he joined the basketball team in summer league games. His older sisters, Ryan and Clare, have been major cogs in the La Jolla girls volleyball program for the past several years.

Morgan Albers, a sophomore, is a surprise since he didn't even play with the varsity during the summer portion of the schedule. He played with the junior varsity. He is listed as 6-2 on the Vikings' MaxPreps roster (maxpreps.com).

It's good to see Duffy back. He sustained a leg injury midway through the summer and had to sit out several games. But he attended each game and stayed in the team dynamics despite the injury.

Coach Baranowski is returning for his second season as Vikings head coach. He completed a seamless transition last year from his predecessor, Kamal Assaf, who stepped down as coach after a decade at the helm due to family needs, including being a papa. Baranowski had been his assistant for a couple of seasons, including while his son Jake played for the varsity. Jake Baranowski is now LJHS freshman boys basketball coach. Assaf continues as a full-time teacher at The Bishop's School in La Jolla.

Also "likely to contribute" this season, according to Baranowski, in addition to Rawdin, are guard Owen Porter and forward Elijah Kearns.

Rounding out the roster are Michael Teller, Gaynor Blackmon, Daniel Hemming, Max Scott, and Grant Miller.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Quotes: La Jolla FB 24, Monte Vista 41, CIF Semifinals

La Jolla's Carlton O'Neal (behind) gets off a punt past Monte Vista defender Jonathon Archibald (41) on Vikings' first possession, down 7-0 in the first quarter in the CIF semifinals Nov. 29. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Commented Monte Vista Jonathan Archibold, senior defensive end, number 41:
"La Jolla was pretty good in the second half. They came out slow in the beginning. But they kind of stooped us in the third quarter. We had to finish them off."

What was the difference in the game? Both teams are pretty talented. "Yes, they are. The difference was, I guess we wanted it more because it's been such a while, and we wanted to make the history (of winning a CIF playoff game for the first time since 2004)."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Eric Tims, Viking two-way back

Running back Eric Tims (2, leaving Mater Dei defender sprawling) had a career game in the quarterfinals of CIF playoffs Nov. 22. He amassed 236 yards on 24 carries, with three touchdowns. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Eric Tims
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 2
Positions: Running back, cornerback
LJHS Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "One word to describe Eric is 'elusive.' He is always exciting with the ball in his hands and has the ability to leave you scratching your head and wondering how in the world he just pulled that off. As shown in the game versus Mater Dei, Eric can take over a game at any time when he commits and puts his mind to it. He had a great week of practice leading up to the game and it really paid off."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Da'Jour Tims, Viking two-way back

Defender Da'Jour Tims (4) militates against Kearny back Anfernee Hamilton (3) in Vikings' 32-3 win over the Komets Nov. 8. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Da'Jour Tims
Year in school: Junior
Uniform number: 4
Positions: Defensive and offensive back
Relatives: Brother Eric Tims, also a two-way back, and father Eric Tims Sr., Assistant Coach. Mom is pretty prominent, too, leading the support crew in the stands.
La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Da'Jour is a great kid that loves the game of football. He is a dynamic player and has played all over the field for us this year, including linebacker, corner, safety, and wide receiver. He's even throw for two TD's. He's a kid that other teams definitely have to scheme against and account for on all plays."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Sergio Ortiz, Viking kicker

Kicker Sergio Ortiz (75) in season opener at Mt. Carmel. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Sergio Ortiz
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 75
Position: Kicker
La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "He tore a ligament in his knee in the San Marcos game (Sept. 6). He has continued to rehab and has avoided surgery (during the season). He works on short yardage kicks everyday, so it was great to see him get in there in the Mater Dei game and knock a few through the uprights."
Sergio on his chance to get a PAT kick or two in the CIF quarterfinal game vs. Mater Dei Nov. 22: "It was nice. It has been a long time."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Trenton Fudge, kicker and punter

Kicker Trenton Fudge (19), with Carlton O'Neal (3) holding, in action against UC Oct. 11. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Trenton Fudge
Year in school: Sophomore
Uniform number: 19
Positions: Punter, place kicker on field goals and kickoffs
La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Fudge has been great. Being able to step up as a sophomore and take over our team's kicking game has been huge. We've put a lot of pressure on him during practices and it has paid off in games. He's grown a ton during the season and probably made one of the biggest plays of the game last week versus Mater Dei when he dodged a potential punt blocker to get a punt off early in the game."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Ronnie Griffen, Viking lineman

Defensive lineman Ronnie Griffen (65) with his dad, Tom, who blows the family's Hawaiian conch shell on the sideline after each touchdown or big play. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Ronnie Griffen
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 65
Position: Lineman
Leadership role on team: One of four captains
Mentoring influence: Former LJHS Assistant Coach Luis Moya, who had a heart-to-heart talk with Ronnie when he was a freshman, discouraged and considering quitting football. Coach Moya talked him out of it. Coach Moya passed away three years ago. Ronnie wore Coach Moya's retired number 74 jersey in honor of him during one of the Vikings' games this season.
Head Coach Jason Carter: "Ronnie is a coach's dream. He's one of our four captains. He's a blue-collar kid that you can depend on every time he sets foot on and off the field. He's a great teammate and leads by example. I could sing his praises for days."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Brandon Bonham, Viking wide receiver

Brandon Bonham (7) goes vertical to catch a Collin Rugg touchdown pass of six yards in the first quarter at Homecoming against Coronado Oct. 4. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Brandon Bonham
Year in school: Junior
Uniform number: 7
Position: Wide receiver
Awards: All-Western League Second Team

La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Brandon is a big-time playmaker and has come up with some incredible catches throughout the year. Opposing teams always have to scheme a way to stop number 7."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Nic Skala, Viking wide receiver

Nic Skala (11) collects leaping touchdown against outmatched UC defender Oct. 11. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Nic Skala
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 11
Positions: Wide receiver, defensive back, special teams
Other sport he plays: Basketball
Awards: All-Western League First Team

Comment by La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Skala is a stud. He sells out for his teammates every game. He's not afraid to go across the middle to make big-time catches. It's rare you find your star receiver leading your team in special teams tackles. When our offense needs a big play in a game, Nic is the first guy we look to, which says a lot, because we have quite a few playmakers on offense."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Demarco Bland, Viking free safety

Demarco Bland (1) breaks up pass intended for Valley Center tight end Josh Lucas (26) at Blastoff Sept. 13. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Demarco Bland
Year in school: Senior
Position: Free safety
Uniform number: 1
Awards: All-Western League First Team

Comment by LJHS Defensive Coordinator Junior Leoso: "Great nose for the football. Hits like a 200-lb. linebacker!"


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

International sports interest

Countries from which folks have viewed my blog

This is pretty fun. As of this writing (Nov. 26, 2013, 5 p.m.), folks from the following nations have viewed my blog about La Jolla High sports:

South Korea - 5
Germany - 3
Ukraine - 3
Austria - 1
Malaysia - 1
Russia - 1

Either you guys have relatives, aunts and uncles of players in La Jolla sports, looking for info on their nephews or nieces on the fall teams. Or people who have no connection whatsoever to LJHS sports or team members have Googled or fallen into looking at my blog! Either way, it's a lot of fun.

On the blog, there is a "Statistics" category you can click on and retrieve data like this. Like, today there have been 8 views of the blog, and several of those have been on the features on football players Collin Rugg and Reid Martin. Mary Rugg, are you repeatedly looking at your son's features?! Just kidding.

Carlton O'Neal, receiver

Receiver Carlton O'Neal, one of La Jolla's super juniors, toys with defender Evan Davis (5) on reception on Vikings' third possession in the first quarter Nov. 22. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Carlton O'Neal
Year in school: Junior
Uniform number: 3
Position on offense: Receiver
Awards: All-Western League Honorable Mention

Quotes after the win over Kearny in the fog Nov. 8

• On his 66-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter: "We just got into an empty set, just starting to spread out the field. We all ran the same route. (Quarterback) Collin (Rugg) slid around a little bit, found me. Brandon Bonham threw a great block on the edge. I didn't do much really."
• On the last Komet defender who had a chance to catch Carlton, diving after him: "I felt him on my heels a little bit."

Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "I knew from Day One that Carlton would be a playmaker for us on offense. He has fully bought into the program and system and has superb work ethic. He's a matchup nightmare in the slot and a guy you are glad to have on your team. He's continued to improve throughout the season and has had some big games for us the last few weeks."

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Bret Schuman, "Monster" linebacker

Linebacker Bret Schuman grips Mater Dei quarterback Marco Morales (7) during stop in second quarter Nov. 22. The senior defender racked up six solo tackles and one assist on the night. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Bret Schuman
Year in school: Senior
Uniform number: 31
Position in LJHS 3-4 defense: "Monster" linebacker
Awards: All-Western League Second Team
Solo tackles to date (Nov. 22): 38
Assists: 20
Total tackles on the season: 58

Coach Jason Carter's comment on Bret: "He's a smart kid that has accepted every challenge we have given him and exceeded that. Bret's playing like he wants a championship!"


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Reid Martin, Viking running back

Running back Reid Martin (21) eyes his opening in the Mater Dei line as he grinds for 8 yards on first-and-ten, then 11 yards on second-and-two, midway through the second quarter in La Jolla's crushing 63-21 CIF Division IV quarterfinal victory Nov. 22. The fair-haired junior was an unkind guest to the visitors, pounding in three touchdowns on 20 carries for 121 yards. He has 982 rushing yards through Nov. 22 this season. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Reid Martin
Position: Running back
Year in school: Junior
Awards: All-Western League, Honorable Mention

Quote at the end of the victory over Mater Dei Nov. 22: "It was nice to get some big runs and tire them (the Crusader defense) out in the first quarter. Then we could relax later."

Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Reid brings great work ethic to the table. He is the type of kid you can always rely on to give 100% effort on the field, whether it's a Tuesday practice or Friday night game. Reid will give you the tough yards and can really set the tempo for the offense with his physical runs. Despite Reid's stereotype running style, he is actually pretty elusive in space. We've deemed his signature juke move as the 'La Jolla Drag'."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Collin Rugg, Viking quarterback

Collin Rugg (throwing ball, background right) unleashes a bomb to wide receiver Brandon Bonham (7, in foreground) against Mission Bay Oct. 25. (Photo by Ed Piper)


Collin Rugg
Year in school: Junior
Position: Quarterback
Awards: All-Western League, Second Team

Collin showed rare humor during and after the CIF quarterfinal win over Mater Dei Nov. 22. When asked if an alien had taken over his body when he ran for nine yards on one carry, shaking off a would-be tackler, Rugg replied with a smile: "I'm not sure if it was me (doing the running)."

Then, after the game, he shook his head incredulously, saying, "I can't believe it. I ended the game with positive rushing yardage."

Collin is not known for being fleet of foot. He is better known for his record-breaking passing statistics in the first six or so games of the 2013 season.

La Jolla Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roach: "Collin has been a staple of our offense all season and continues to improve each week as a leader, regardless of stat lines. I think his true competitive nature came out in the playoff game versus Mater Dei when he decided to keep the ball on a designed run play to our running back, because he saw the safety blitzing into the hole. He scrambled for about nine yards and took a hit from a defender, popped right back up and fired up the offense and two plays later we scored. Those few minutes in the game really changed the momentum and we ran with it from there."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Jason Carter, La Jolla Head Football Coach

La Jolla Head Football Coach Jason Carter, appealing his case on the Viking sideline to the referees in the Blastoff game Sept. 13 against Valley Center (Photo by Ed Piper)


Before the regular season finale against Kearny Nov. 8, after a reporter commented, "It's going to be a good evening"-
Coach Carter (not laughing, preoccupied with pregame preparation): "It better be a good evening."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Justin Cook, All-Western League First Team, Football

All-Western League First Team defender Justin Cook (69) pulls down the unfortunate Marco Morales (7, partially obscured), Mater Dei quarterback, in a sack midway through the second quarter in the Vikings' 63-21 thrashing of the Crusaders in the CIF Division IV quarterfinals Nov. 22. Cook led a furious La Jolla defensive assault with four sacks. The defense recorded seven sacks as a whole. (Photo by Ed Piper)

Justin Cook
Year in school: Senior
Number in black jersey: 15
New number in red jersey: 69
Position in Defensive Coordinator Junior Leoso's 3-4 defense: Noseguard

Comment near the end of La Jolla's win over Mater Dei Nov. 22: "I think it's our best defensive game."

Junior Leoso, Vikings Defensive Coordinator (Photo by Ed Piper)


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Snapshot: Gabby Quiggle, varsity cheerleader

Gabby Quiggle, one of at least two tumblers or gymnasts on the LJHS Varsity Cheer squad along with Lydia Trautmiller (rear right). (Photo by Ed Piper)

 

Gabby Quiggle, a junior at La Jolla High

 

Food: When I was young, I became addicted to popcorn shrimp at Joe's Crab Shack.

Music group: Linkin Park

Song: "Counting the Stars" by OneRepublic. It's a love song. It's about how unimportant money is, and how it should be about trust.

Educational plans: I'm a junior, but one place I'm thinking about is the University of Oregon. It's not too far from home. I like the weather up there. I grew up in San Diego. My dad Scott is a computer technician, and I was thinking of taking a computer course next year. I took Computer Graphics already. Another (possible area of concentration) is dermatology. I really like physiology.

Dream job: Dermatologist.

Historical figure: Columbus. He brought everything back to live in America. That's where I live today, and without him it wouldn't be the way it is today. We're pretty free.

On her tumbling and gymnastics: I've been doing gymnastics since I was six. I don't know how I got into it. I guess one day I told my mom, "I want to do that." As I got older, I went to the YMCA and then I got pretty good. Then I started going to this place in Poway, and they really expanded my tumbling success. Then I found cheerleading, and that's more tumbling than anything. Gymnastics is a lot of variation, like the uneven bar and the beam and the floor.

Comment on LJHS cheer squad: I feel like the cheer team really helps me with stress. During practice, we stunt a lot. That is really exhausting. But it's not just about the exercise. I have a lot of close friends on that team, and I have really close bonds with them now. I want to keep in touch with them when I'm older.

 

 

Copyright 2013 Ed Piper



Kacie Rice, Vikings cheer captain

Kacie Rice, cheer captain (Photo by Ed Piper)


Kacie Rice is one of three captains of the 2013-14 La Jolla Vikings cheer squad under advisor Ashley Monzon.

Favorite food: Fried chicken. My grandma Tippy's. They were from the South--Georgia. She lives here now, though, in Coronado.
Music group: Indie music, but not a particular group.
Song: I love pop music. There's a ton of dance tune stuff, and I'm a cheerleader. But I really like songs with lyrics that mean things. There are so many songs (to choose one).
Historical figure: Edgar Allan Poe. He was the greatest "worst" writer. He defied a lot of the writing laws. That's how I write. I don't to like to write by the rules. I like to write that it makes you feel.
Interests: I love to write. I love to read. I like to write fiction.
Educational and career plans: I'm going to go to a state college. I'm looking mostly at San Diego or San Francisco. And I'd eventually go to a vet (veterinarian) school and become a vet.
Pets: I love animals. I have two Dachsunds at my mom's house, a Golden Retriever, and at my dad's two Jack Russell mixes and a cat.
Thing in the world you would like to change: I think one of the changes the world could use would be in equality, and I mean in civil rights. There's still a lot of racial disagreements and all that kind of stuff.
Comment on LJHS cheer squad this season: We've gotten a lot stronger, not only cheer-wise but also our strength, our relationship with each other. We're open about it. It's not like a professional thing anymore. We've made it more like a friend circle. We hang out with each other all the time outside of practice. We're like the typical cheer group that hangs out at school.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Snapshot: Ian Beed, Vikings' defensive end

Ian Beed, senior, no. 81, defensive end (Photo by Ed Piper)


Year in school: Senior
Position: Defensive end
Number: 81

My nickname for him: "The Venerable Beed" (play on name of 8th century English monk Bede)

On storing up all his energy and focusing it in a productive way in the Kearny game: "When I was coming into this game, something felt different. I felt pumped. I felt ready. I was prepared for this. I was determined coming into the game that we're going to go to CIF. And I took all that, I bottled it up, and I just blew it up on them."


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper

Defensive stats: LJ 14, Madison 38

"Will" linebacker Connor Walton (12) and "Monster" linebacker Bret Schuman (31) create drag for Warhawks running back Kevin Moore (3) in the first half versus Madison. (Photo by Ed Piper)



Defensive stats
La Jolla 14, Madison 38
Nov. 1, 2013

(Tackles-assists)

Grant Miller 7-5
Demarco Bland 6-6
Da'Jour Tims 4-4
Anthony Stanley 3-7
Nic Skala 3-4
Tyler Smith 2-4
Justin Cook 2-1
Eric Tims 2-0
Connor Walton 1-1
Jonathan Levenson 1-1
Connor Hayden 1-0
Bret Schuman 0-6
Ian Beed 0-5
R.C. Ault 0-1
Vail Miesfeld 1-0

LJ g VB 3, UC 1 on an emotional Senior Night

6-foot-2 senior middle blocker Riley Young (8) spikes the ball in action in the first game Tuesday (Nov. 5) versus University City, which La Jolla won 25-19. The Vikings went on to defeat the crosstown rival Centurions 3-1 on an emotional Senior Night. (Photo by Ed Piper)


La Jolla's women's volleyball team overcame a lapse of intensity in the third game Tuesday (Nov. 5), finally putting University City away in the fourth game, 26-24, to close out the Vikings' final regular season match at home, 3-1. La Jolla, which plays its last regular season match before CIF playoffs this afternoon (Nov. 6) at Scripps Ranch, raises its Western League record to 4-5, 16-15 overall. UC falls to 2-7, 15-14 overall.

Sophomore hitter Madeleine Gates continued what Coach David Jones terms "elite" level performance, recording 205 kills in 458 attempts, a 44.8 percent rate, leading into last night's match. That amounts to 2.3 kills per set played. Junior Emma Willis, also 6-foot-2, showed increased intensity and effectiveness.

But the night belonged to the three departing seniors, captain Clare Farley, Riley Young, and the animated Simone Stavros. An especially moved Young said after the match on Senior Night: "It was very, very emotional. There have been a lot of ups and downs my past four years. But it's really nice having a great group of girls this year." "Lots of tears (tonight)," she added.

Farley said, "It feels very good, especially coming out with a big win here, because I feel a lot of closure. We have a lot of momentum going into CIF. It's an exciting experience, because I remember two years ago my sister (Ryan) was in the same spot, and I've watched three groups of seniors go off during Senior Night. And now being a senior, it's kind of unreal. I got to really feel like I'm actually a senior."

Young commented: "I think in the third game we felt like we had already won, and we didn't try as hard. In the fourth game we finished it."

Farley explained that Tuesday was also "Dig for the Cure" night, to grow awareness of the fight to cure breast cancer. She said her sister started La Jolla's involvement three years ago, and she has taken the torch to continue the Vikings' participation to raise money for the cause.


Copyright 2013 Ed Piper