LJ b BB 63, UC 43

Vikings Athletic Trainer Matt Bridges tapes down
a floor anchor for a volleyball stanchion
as Coach Bob Allen (left) watches.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Senior guard Jacob Duffy had the shooting game of his life, and La Jolla rode the spirited play of several contributors on the way to a surprise 63-43 rout of visiting University City in a rivalry game Thurs., Nov. 29. The Centurions came into the game ranked seventh in CIF by MaxPreps.

Duffy, showing remarkable accuracy with his set shot from beyond the arc, sank four three-pointers for a total of 18 points. Sophomore forward Christian Gamboa continued to display his ability to get to the basket as the hosts opened up an 18-point lead at the end of three quarters on a wet night.

The non-league game was marred by the apparent re-injury of senior Evan Brown's left collarbone less than two minutes into his first game back since the football fracture nearly two months ago.

With 6:01 on the clock in the first quarter, the 6'2" forward went down on the floor near the Vikings' bench, in apparent distress over re-injurying the clavicle. Brown, who had been recuperating since the injury in a game at Lincoln in early October, remained lying on the floor with his hands over his face for four minutes or so as Viking trainer Matt Bridges, his coach, and his parents looked after him. He walked off the floor on his own power and left the gym, not to return.

Seemingly spurred by the sight of their fallen comrade, the Vikings recovered shortly from a 5-3 deficit to jump out to a 15-9 lead by the end of the quarter.

Duffy's two free throws, then a three at 1:52 forced UC coach Terry Stonebraker to call time out, La Jolla leading 13-7.

Pre-game team huddle, including senior Evan
Brown (at 3 o'clock).

That advantage bulged to nine points early in the second period after the right-handed Gamboa made a nice left-handed drop-in for a lay-up, then after a fired-up Duffy leaped high to snag a defensive rebound, Christian planted a three-pointer from the left baseline. The Vikings led, 18-9.

A good-sized nucleus of La Jolla football, lacrosse, and water polo players, among others, sat courtside and made a lot of noise in support of their non-errant knights on each good play.

Action in the first half was ferocious, but scattered, by both teams in the rivalry. But then a third quarter in which the Vikings out-scored the Centurions 18-10 to increase the lead to 18 had thrown the ranked UC squad out of its game.

As Stonebraker observed before the game, "We're up-and-down," despite the high ranking. Big man Benito Hurtado, 6'6", averaging 14 rebounds a game, was not a major factor. Nor was 6'4" All-CIF wide receiver Casey Granfors, who played sparingly later in the game. Often Granfors can let loose with his athletic leaping ability. His upper body has filled out since last year.

Gamboa finished with 11 points.

Viking point guard Behzad Hashemi led the team with 22 points. He was much more effective as the game progressed as he played under more control.

He and Hurtado had words after Hurtado made a hard foul on Hashemi as Behzad drove to the basket late in the third quarter. A referee cautioned the guard about his words to Benito. The 5'10" Hashemi then proceeded to make two free throws.

A short time later, Benito was called for a technical. The referee explained the call by motioning with his left elbow. The Viking guard capitalized by stepping to the free throw lines and sinking the free throws.

The LJHS student section was vocal, raising quite
a ruckus at opportune times during the rivalry
game with visiting UC.

Baranowski placed Brown, who has faithfully attended every game while recuperating and kept the scorebook, in the starting line-up at forward. But it was not to be a good night for him, ending abruptly.

Evan's father Eric, taking photographs of the game, said his son had just been cleared to play by the doctors on Tuesday. He had been practicing with the team for two weeks with "no contact" restrictions.

LJ b BB: Alumni photos 11/23

By Ed Piper

 

 

 

LJ b BB: Alumni 'Open Gym'

The 21 basketball alumni (plus Coach John McColl)
took a break for a group photo between 5-on-5
games at the "Open Gym" event.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

By 11:11 a.m., La Jolla High alumni had one full-court game going in the Big Gym, with another organized and ready to start on the adjoining court.

 

The occasion was an "Open Gym" event for Viking basketball alumni Fri., Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.

 

The Oharas and McColls were well-represented, with three family members each playing. From an outsider's unofficial viewpoint, the game on the north end of the gym was at a little higher level, with some younger players who could still represent.

 

Jacob Ohara, a 2018 graduate of Coach Paul Baranowski's program, used his patented quick first step to dart to the basket. His brother Zac, who was a threat off the dribble as well as from outside, also played, along with their older brother Matt.

Daniel McColl, a 2017 graduate, played in the north-court game. Older brother David and dad John, who apparently gained entrance on the merits of his (football) coaching and close affiliation with the LJHS sports program, competed in the southern game.

Baranowski, meanwhile, chatted in the corner with Mr. Ohara, as well as Jeanne Rawdin, Quinn's mother, and Maggie Ohara, and other alumni moms.

The event was advertised as extending from 11 to 1 p.m. Other LJHS basketball grads identified by a reporter included Tyson Youngs, Sean Devitt, Charlie Gal, and Matt and Max Needham.

Members of the current Viking team came down from the upper bleachers midway through the morning to shoot around and for a group photo, including Jett Wilson, Nick Hulquist, Behzad Hashemi, and others.

LJ g soccer: New ways

By Ed Piper

In their second workout as a team following tryouts the week before, La Jolla's soccer players engaged in a bull-in-the-ring kind of exercise.

An offensive player was planted in the middle, ringed by four defenders who tried to frustrate the center person in passing and receiving with four teammates on an outer circle.

"It's one of my favorite drills," said Trent Painter, the Vikings' new head coach. During a two-hour practice Tues., Nov. 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m., 10 or so team members (of 18 roster members) who were still in town during the Thanksgiving week-long vacation were run through several demanding, practical drills by Painter, who is also an assistant coach in the women's program at UCSD.

"If we do this well, there won't be any conditioning afterwards," said Painter later in the workout. "This will be our conditioning."

The drill was a half-field (with narrowed sidelines, as well) scrimmage. With so many players concentrated in such a small area, care with the ball was crucial. Otherwise, a nearby defender might snatch the ball away.

Over two days of practice observed Monday and Tuesday, Painter, who flew back to San Diego for practice in between the Tritons' NCAA Division 2 playoffs in Texas, brought energy and direction to his new team. The girls seemed to have accepted his leadership well, with a healthy dynamic in place.

The coach put emphasis on moving the ball aggressively and trying to pick spots, even if a pass was intercepted. "Good pass," he called out more than once, even when the pass failed. It was the thought and the strategy that mattered, rather than the immediate result.

Painter takes over a talented program which has won a CIF title in the last two years, so his mission won't be to revive a moribund system. His task will be to continue the fine level of play that characterized predecessor Kristin "Jonesy" Jones' years leading LJHS's program.

She yielded her long-time coaching position at La Jolla High as UCSD continues its transition in sports to Division 1 status. She became the head coach at UCSD this season. Division 1 regulations stipulate that a coach cannot coach at another institution.

Despite his position at the university, Painter apparently would serve as the transition coach for the Vikings this year, with another coach eventually assuming the post.

UCSD qualified for the Final Four beginning Thurs., Nov. 29, on the merits of its win in the quarterfinals Monday afternoon, Nov. 19.

Viking players congratulated their new coach, whom they had only seen a few times with the new season approaching. Painter said weather was cold in Texas during the NCAA quarterfinal game.

He told team members that if UCSD wins its semifinal match Thursday, he would miss their opening game the following day, Fri., Nov. 30. "That would be good news if I can't be here," he said.

In that case, he talked about LJHS boys assistant coach Victor Zendejas handling game duties. "Yeah, we like Victor," said more than one girl.

The exuberant Zendejas told a reporter Mon., Nov. 26, that he will be out of town for the Friday game, should he get the call. Someone else would have to fill in for Painter.

LJ g BB: A second look

The Vikings' Kat Kurtchi (10) with her teammates
in the huddle with Coach Darice Carnaje
before the game.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

In La Jolla's spirited 16-point comeback to beat Southwest (El Centro), 41-39, in the Coronado Tournament Fri., Nov. 23, senior Kat Kurtchi made some crucial shots in the closing seconds.

With 24.0 seconds left, the 5'10" guard, after air-balling a three-point attempt shortly before, canned a long-range shot from outside the right elbow of the lane. Kurtchi, showing patience, slipped behind teammate Brooke Strowbridge's screen to have separation for the trey.

That brought the Vikings to within three, 39-36, of the Raiders, who had led from the start of the game.

The aggressive Kurtchi, unafraid to mix it up in traffic, made a steal, but missed a layup under pressure after her earlier three-point attempt, before the crucial make at 24 seconds.

La Jolla's press forced Coach Enrique Cervantes' attack to cough up another turnover, and Kat scored on a layup off the steal and was fouled.

She made the free throw.

Coach Darice Carnaje's team was tied for the first time in the game, 39-all. Time on the clock: 16.5 seconds.

On the inbounds pass, under pressure, Southwest passed the ball directly to Viking Katie Nguyen, standing in the lane just inside the baseline. The senior banked the ball in with 14.3 remaining. La Jolla now enjoyed its first lead the entire game, 41-39.

Southwest moved the ball downcourt and got the ball out of bounds at 6.4.

Cervantes called a timeout with 6.1 left.

The Vikings held on, and Nguyen got congratulated by teammates for her winning shot.

But it was Kurtchi, with her two baskets and free throw near the conclusion, who played a critical role in making the come-from-behind win possible .

LJ g water polo: Roster

By Ed Piper

Third-year coach Amy Jennings released the following 12-player La Jolla High varsity water polo roster Tues., Nov. 20, during practice.

Cap #  Player                       Year

1     Shauna Franke                Jr
1A  MC Rendon                     Jr
2     Leigh Ann Mallinger      Sr
3     Lulu Hirschfield             Fr
4     Stephanie Babcock         Jr
5     Katy Koenig                   Sr
6     Paige Olson                    Jr
7     Jensine Bugelli               Sr
10   Ava Kevorkian               Jr
11   Natalie Dimeo                Fr
14   Jessica Newell                Jr
17   Andrea Jackson              Jr

LJ g soccer: Roster

By Ed Piper

First-year coach Trent Painter released the following 18-player roster for the 2018-19 La Jolla High varsity girls soccer team Tues., Nov. 20.

Alexander, Chloe
Bark, Allegra
Bath, Gabby
Buendia, Angela      Goalie
Crudo, Eva
Davey, Charlie
Devitt, Gloria
Doer, Olivia
Evans, Sarah
Ferenczy, Kyra
Hathaway, Daisy
Lamkin, Luiza
Mossimer, Hayley
O'Brien, Monica
Ramirez, Ixchel
Schulz, Trinity         Goalie
Shamir, Lia
Tomasulo, Mia

LJ b water polo: Photos 11/23 Alumni Game

By Ed Piper

 

 

 

LJ g water polo: Alumni Game photos 11/23

By Ed Piper

LJ g water polo 2, Alumnae 11

By Ed Piper

It wasn't the normal alumni game at Coggan Pool Fri., Nov. 23. Often at these events, you see older folks who are long past their playing days, no longer in condition, lacking the elasticity of their younger years.

But the active Division 1 foursome of Karli Canale (San Diego State), Ciara Franke, goalie Bennett Bugelli, and Sydney Boland (all at UCSD) humbled the beleaguered present La Jolla varsity players who participated, 11-2, in an impressive water polo clinic before a few friends and family in the annual rite.

Even La Jolla coach Amy Jennings and her predecessor, Keller Felt, maintain their skills in masters competition, so there wasn't much let-up for Viking goalie Shauna Franke and her teammates in the good-natured event.

Boys coach Tom Atwell refereed both the women's alumni event and the men's game that followed. He and his wife Utahna greeted many of the program's former players with hugs, engaging them in conversation about recent doings and old times.

Ciara and Shauna's father, Randy, long time active in the program, endured the day's first drubbing when Shauna jumped in the pool just in front of him, leaving him kneeling and somewhat sopping. He took it in good stride.

When the alumnaes' advantage ballooned to 6-1, then 8-1, Shauna and other Vikings began to play a little less sacrificially, as the Division 1 four and their alumna teammates kept their game faces on and continued the steamroll.

After the conclusion, Jennings gathered past and present players for a group shot in a corner of the Coggan pool.

Meanwhile, several men's players had begun to show up, and were changing into Speedos or chatting with the Atwells and former teammates.

Prep b BB: Sierra Canyon soars

By Ed Piper

Sierra Canyon, the fifth-ranked high school team in the nation, displayed some stellar basketball in its run of three games to win the championship of the recent San Diego Tip-off Challenge at Montgomery High in the South Bay.

Said Chad Bickley, coach of Santa Fe Christian, "They are the best (high school) team I have ever seen," according to Bishop's coach Nick Levine, who talked to Bickley after the Eagles' 39-point loss to the elite Trailblazers Fri., Nov. 16 in the tournament semifinals.

In the title game Saturday night, Nov. 17 against St. Augustine, who some thought might put up a fair fight, Sierra Canyon, powered by 6'1" guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and 6'7" forward Kenyon "K.J." Martin, humbled the Saints after early resistance to run away with an 86-40 win.

Saints star Chibuzo Agbo, a 6'6" junior, was definitely knocked off his game by the insistent, even smothering pressure of Coach Andre Chevalier's Blazers. Agbo, who normally has a good touch outside and who is dominant inside against San Diego County foes, on this night couldn't attune to the basket from outside and frequently was pounded by Martin, whose father starred in the NBA, and other Trailblazers, including 6'7" Terren Frank.

In fact, in the thrashing witnessed in the Montgomery High gym by a large crowd drawn by Sierra Canyon's appearance, the depth of the Trailblazers became apparent, while Coach Mike Haupt's Saints could only go six deep.

While Pippen, a smart, quick guard, made numerous steals and displayed good decision-making in transition, it was the impressive Martin who showed himself to be a man among boys, with soaring left-handed dunks and fine skills at both ends of the court.

Guard Cassius Stanley, the only five-star recruit among the Blazers, picked his spots and showed a playfulness after the game became a blowout later in the first half.

Sierra Canyon's seven-footer, Christian Koloko, for the third straight night was easily pushed around by much shorter opponents. It's interesting that he is a commit to the University of Arizona, despite the ineffectiveness the thin Koloko showed in the Montgomery tourney. The Wildcats are obviously banking on his height to eventually be accompanied by a more solid presence in the middle.

For Haupt's underdog Saints, his son, 6'5" guard Luke Haupt, hung in there against the powerful Trailblazers better than his teammates. He didn't appear flustered in the way Agbo did.

St. Augustine, though, will do well in the San Diego Section. The Saints were facing, as Santa Fe Christian's Bickley stated, a team at a much higher level.

LJ g BB: Palmer stars

Caroline Palmer stretches
before the earlier game,
her first one for
varsity basketball.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Caroline Palmer, a 5'7" newcomer to La Jolla's varsity basketball team, enjoyed the support and adulation of a whole entourage of relatives on her team's first day of play in the new season.

"We're all here for her," said her grandmother, Marge Palmer, sitting in a small bleacher section filled with 10 or so relatives on the sideline of Court #2 in the Coronado High gym late Friday afternoon, Nov. 23.

Two cousins, sisters who said they participate in gymnastics, came with their family from the Chicago area Monday and had plane tickets to fly home Saturday.

"We went to the mountains," said one. Her grandmother clarified that they had visited Julian. They knew that Julian is renowned for its apple pie. "It wasn't snowy, but it was cold," one of the sisters said of the visit to East County.

Another cousin, a middle school student at Meadowbrook in Poway, brought a nice DSLR camera, and Marge, with her own DSLR, was coaching him on what ISO (light sensitivity) setting and shutter speed would be appropriate to photograph the basketball game in the relatively dark Islander gym.

The entourage, which came only for the second of the two games Friday, missed Caroline's 13 points to lead Coach Darice Carnaje's team in the earlier contest, a two-point loss to Parker.

But Marge and company got to witness the thrilling nightcap, which saw Palmer's team come from 16 points back in the third quarter to win on a last-second shot.

Caroline, though unpolished in basketball, showed good aggressiveness as a starter and fought for numerous loose balls. The sophomore was active and moving. Her obvious athleticism was undoubtedly appreciated by her coach, Carnaje.

Family members seemed pleased at the game result, and were surprised to hear that Caroline, who played in the Viking volleyball program last year but didn't make the team this year, was the leading scorer for her team in the opener.

LJ g BB 41, Southwest (El Centro) 39 - Coronado tournament

Senior Katie Nguyen, whose late shot
achieved La Jolla's first win
against Southwest.
(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Senior Brooke Strowbridge led La Jolla back from 16 points down in the third quarter to a thrilling last-second win over Southwest (San Diego) Fri., Nov. 23, in the Coronado Tournament.

With 14.3 seconds left, the game tied 39-39, reserve guard Katie Nguyen banked in the winning shot off a turnover against the Vikings' full-court press, and Coach Darice Carnaje's squad held on to win and equal its record at 1-1.

Earlier in the day, the Vikings, enjoying a 10-point lead at one point, suffered a two-point loss to Francis Parker in their season opener and initial game in the Coronado holiday tourney.

Senior Kat Kurtchi, a 5'10"
guard, scored 17 points
in the late afternoon game.

Strowbridge, who moved from Washington state a year ago, animated La Jolla's attack in the second half of the win over the Raiders, moving the ball and shooting from outside on offense, as well as adding a blocked shot on defense. The 5'9" guard finished with 12 points, including a trio of three-pointers.

Said Nguyen of her winning shot to a teammate, "It was a (close) bank shot. How could I miss that?"

Teammate Kat Kurtchi led all scorers with 17 points, with four three-pointers.

Southwest's Andrea Aguilar led the Lady Raiders with 12 points.

La Jolla also played a pair of games Saturday in the tournament over the Thanksgiving holiday.

LJ g soccer: Photos 11/20 - second day of practice

By Ed Piper