LJ b BB: Game story

LJ sophomore Brody Sessa (11) soars

for a close-in shot attempt against

the Colts' Yasir Abdurahman (4)

while Dominick Espalin (0) watches.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Crawford was celebrating Senior Night, though it was a muted celebration since four Colts have been declared ineligible to play because of the latest grading period.

So the outlook for La Jolla, coming in, was looking favorable, on the heels of a 73-52 win at home Jan. 9 against Coach Ed Baskin's squad.

Big Jalen Jones, 6'3", was one of the two seniors remaining. Though he spent a lot of time on the bench in foul trouble, he and his teammates gave the visiting Vikings a tough time for much of the first three quarters before a smallish crowd in the tiny Crawford gym Tues., Jan. 30.

They led Michael Contreras, Eli Vaz and company 14-13 with three minutes gone in the second quarter.

Then, as the cream rises to the top, Coach Paul Baranowski's contingent (now 4-2 in the Central League, 16-9 overall)--tied 30-all with five minutes left in the third--went on a 26-1 tear into the early fourth period to land a 67-44 win.

The usual suspects were guilty, including "Contre", hesitating in the air on one drive before scoring with the right hand (as a natural lefthander), Jackson Diehl, hitting free throws with new efficiency while rebounding well, and speed-demon Nick Sebro grabbing some loose balls.

A refreshing look for this game was 6'5" Lance Braga skying to guide Diehl's close-in shot from the other side of the rim into the basket. That occurred with 6:07 left in the third stanza, the Vikings barely leading, 27-25.

Braga, a junior, also had an authoritative block to finish one period, the home crowd "oohing" at the sight.

Diehl was six for seven at the line, totaling 16 points. Michael led with 17 points.

With fewer than half the league rotation yet to play, Canyon Hills and Point Loma lead the Central League with 4-1 records (though the Pointers suffered a major injury to a key player). The Vikes stand just behind them at 4-2.

Clairemont sits back at 2-4, the Colts on the bottom.

LJ b BB 67, Crawford 44

Photos by Ed Piper

LJ b BB: Game story 1/26

Eli Vaz (1) scores.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

The Viking basketball team unleashed a furious 16-point run near the end of the first quarter to halfway into the second quarter, powered by threes from the top of the key by guard Eli Vaz and forward Jackson Diehl's high-flying maneuvers, downing Point Loma 70-49 in a Central League game Fri., Jan. 26.

Vaz, finding the range, hit his first three with 3:54 left in the opening period, before the torrid run. That gave visiting La Jolla a 10-7 lead.

Then, with the Pointers leading 13-12 with 1:10 on the clock, Coach Paul Baranowski's crew reeled off six straight buckets and two Diehl free throws to take a 28-13 advantage and evidently put the game out of reach.

Point Loma was missing two starters, including a guard who reportedly broke two bones in his leg during their home game Tues., Jan. 23, against Coronado. The Pointers lost by six points. Their status finishing the league schedule would seem to reduce their effectiveness, as shown in the rout by the Vikings.

Previously, the two teams had met at La Jolla Jan. 5, and Point Loma edged the Vikings, 71-64.

Vaz, the quick guard, scored on a tremendous drive to open the second quarter, contorting his body to protect the ball in the air as he held it far out to the right to score over his taller defender.

Then, Eli went into action again bombing his threes, one at 6:44, for a 21-13 La Jolla lead, the other at 5:19 from the same spot--just to the right of the top of the key. That resulted in a 26-13 margin.

Pusher-and-shover Michael Contreras, the relentless ambidextrous senior attacker, then stole the ball at midcourt and laid the ball up lefthanded, and the Vikings were sailing, 28-13.

Diehl added his considerable athletic skills, making his own steal and a layup. With a second Jackson layup, the visitors now led by a dominating 42-19 advantage with 17 seconds left, taking it into halftime before a quieted Point Loma home crowd who had seen their star player go down with a devastating injury three days before.

Big man Lance Braga scored on back-to-back layups in the third quarter, in which La Jolla poured it on even more for a 56-29 lead.

LJ wrestling: Q&A with Matisse Pickett

Matisse Pickett (R) with

teammate Abraham Sierra

at the Willie Jones Jr.

Tourney Sat., Jan. 27.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Matisse Pickett wrestles in the 120-pound weight division for the La Jolla Vikings. She is a junior, and three-year veteran of the team. This conversation took place during the morning at the Willie Jones Jr. Memorial Tournament/City Conference Finals held at Mira Mesa High Sat., Jan. 27.

On Jan. 24, Matisse won a long, grueling match by decision, 6-5, with an escape to break the tie, in a dual meet at St. Augustine.

How did you stay at it?

I just kept making sure I was aware of the time and the score, and I knew that I had to keep wrestling hard to win.

You take this very seriously, don't you?

Yeah, I don't mess around.

How does that show in your practice, your thinking?

I guess it really just helps me in the rest of my life, to make sure I stay healthy and active and have a good mindset on things, because it affects my wrestling.

Your dad joked last year, "I have a daughter named Matisse. You're going to ask if my other daughters are named after painters." How come you don't have a sister named Monet?

I have a brother, and they were about to name his Picasso, but then they realized he would get bullied for that, so they didn't name him that.

Thoughts on wrestling today?

I'm excited, a little nervous, but we'll see how it goes.

LJ b BB: Q&A with Jackson Diehl

Leaper Jackson Diehl (24)

goes up for a layup in the

Vikes' 71-64 loss to Point Loma

at home Jan. 5.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Senior Jackson Diehl plays forward for the La Jolla High basketball team. He rebounds and blocks shots particularly well. These comments came before the Vikings' game at Point Loma Friday night, Jan. 26.

Tell me about rebounding. You jump well, and you rebound well.

Thank you. I feel like I have to do my role on this team, which is play defense and rebound well.

When you go into a game, are you thinking anything consciously, like intentional, planning ahead for rebounds?

Not really. I just try to judge where the ball is going, and get in the right position right before it hits the rim.

Another thing you do well is shot-blocking. Tell me about that.

I just feel like I have good anticipation and I use my vertical (leaping ability) to my advantage.

You guys are in a good spot in league (2-2 going in). What are you thinking for tonight?

It's a really big game in terms of for league, and if we get this win and pop up a couple of spots in league, it'll be huge for us.

LJ wrestling: Pace second at Willie Jones Tourney

Jack Long (L) at 194 pounds

before his first match

at the Jones Tourney

Sat., Jan. 27.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Sophomore Noah Pace, at 113 pounds, garnered second place in the prestigious Willie Jones Memorial Tournament moved to Mira Mesa High Sat., Jan. 27, from Willie's alma mater, Lincoln High, due to its use as a flood shelter for people suffering from Monday's storms.

Meanwhile, junior Jack Long--a defending Eastern League champion--roared back from injury and absence to a fourth place at 194 pounds. Sophomore Liam Kressin  (130) and senior Anthony Volkov (161) joined senior captain Gustav Rinaldi (179) in, likewise, all gaining fourth place in their respective weight classes at the final competition before CIF postseason competition.

Not to be outdone, Viking girls wrestler Maddie Quach finished third in the 104-pound class, and Matisse Pickett took fourth in the newer tradition of girls wrestling at the Willie Jones event.

LJ b BB 70, Point Loma 49

Photos by Ed Piper

Eli Vaz (1) drives and does

a "shimmy" to evade Grant

Stewart (now behind him) before

laying the ball up, 18-13,

to begin the second quarter.

Michael Contreras (0) makes a

hard-to-believe layup with his back

to the basket with :41 left in the

second quarter, LJ leading 40-19.

"Contre" used his right hand; he uses

both hands alternately.

Here, Michael (0) uses his

right hand for a layup.

LJ wrestling: Q&A with Walter Fairley Jr. re: Willie Jones Tourney namesake

Walter Fairley Jr. (right), former LJHS principal

and wrestling coach emeritus, watches the Vikings'

dual meet at St. Augustine Wed., Jan. 24.

To his right is LJHS teacher Richard Babcock

(middle), an assistant coach, and to his side

Vike wrestler Jayden Williams, 165 pounds,

not wrestling that night.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Walter Fairley Jr. is in the California Wrestling Hall of Fame. For over five decades, he has served as a teacher, La Jolla High wrestling coach, LJHS administrator, and in many other capacities with San Diego City Schools and CIF, including ensuring the continued success of the Willie James Jones Jr. Memorial Tournament (this year Jan. 27), an annual event honoring a stellar student at Lincoln High who was ASB president, class valedictorian, and CIF champion wrestler, all in 1994, who earned a full wrestling scholarship to Cornell University when he tragically fell due to random gang violence.

What does the Willie Jones Tournament mean to you?

It's the continuation of something that was started long ago with Willie and his dad. Obviously, his dad coached him. I tried to coach him. (laughing) Of course, but he wouldn't let me do that.

What weight did he wrestle at?

147? I don't remember.

The last time Willie went to the state meet (as a senior in 1994), I was in Sacramento. Believe it or not, because of the brotherhood amongst wrestlers and their coaches and what have you, before they came back to San Diego, they went all the way into Sacramento (off their route). So I was able to be with him, and to congratulate him on the effort he had given already.

It was just a shame that he was not able to continue.

He was a star student, as well as an athlete?

He was a great student. I think he was ASB president at Lincoln High. He had won CIF (San Diego), and he placed in the state meet. He was just an outstanding young man, and so was his dad. When I was a wrestler in high school, he (the dad) actually officiated some of my matches, so that's how long and how far we go back. We're very close. We were very close then, and we're very close now.

(Willie) set a standard for the wrestlers Saturday (at the Jan. 27 tournament bearing his name) to emulate?

Absolutely. A standard to emulate. This is a kid who worked for everything that he got. Nothing was given to him. It was earned. And that's what wrestlers have to get: if you're going to be successful, you've got to put in the time. It's not just a given just because you walk out there and have your hand raised. No. You work for it, and he put the time in, and it paid off. You can't ask for anything more than that.

LJ b water polo: Vinny Vega to development

Vinny Vega (rear) defends the goal

for La Jolla early in the Vikings' 12-6

first-round win over El Segundo Nov. 14

in the Southern California Regionals.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Vinny Vega, the Vikings' all-league goalkeeper, participated in a camp for elite water polo players the past weekend in the Bay Area, according to his father.

Approximately four goalies are selected for the developmental program. Vinny, or Vincent, more formally, helped lead Coach Tom Atwell's La Jolla High team to the Southern California Regional title in Division II last fall.

LJ wrestling: Rinaldi 175-pound league champ

Viking Gustav Rinaldi (red singlet) is relentless

in applying pressure as he pins the Saints'

175-pounder, Evan Perez, in just under

a minute and a half.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Senior Viking Gustav Rinaldi--team captain, master tactician, and relentless attacker--completed his sweep of Western League opponents by pinning Evan Perez of St. Augustine in one minute, 29 seconds during La Jolla's final dual meet of the 2024 campaign Wednesday evening, Jan. 24.

In so doing, the defending 2023 Eastern League champ took the 175-pound title of the Western League, one step up from the Eastern, having defeated all opponents in dual meets this season.

Rinaldi, self-effacing and shy about media coverage of his wrestling feats, accepted congratulations for his weight division championship after the meet at the North Park school. The individual title was even more impressive in that Gustav accomplished it in the tough Western League, after La Jolla was moved up following a team title last year.

Another candidate for all-Western League is Noah Pace, the Vikings' 113-pound specialist. He was ill and unable to perform during part of La Jolla's dual meet schedule. As a result, he may be able to wrestle a run-off against a Western League competitor Sat., Jan. 27, at Lincoln High in the City Conference Championships event, according to Viking head coach Kellen Delaney.

Rinaldi has his arm raised

following the 1:29.2 pin.

LJ g soccer: Q&A with Tatiana Rollick

Defender Tatiana Rollick (26) with the ball

during La Jolla's Senior Night game

Thurs., Feb. 8 vs. Mira Mesa.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Tatiana Rollick is a senior defender for the Vikings soccer team. This interview took place before the La Jolla game Thurs., Jan. 18, at home versus San Diego High School.

Why did Coach (Austin Mobley) pick you as a leadership person, besides Tahlia (Zadeyan) and Ruby (Davis)?

I didn't know he did that... I've been on the team for four years now. (I play) center back.

What do you bring to the team? What is your role?

I'm a defender. I keep the goals out.

What do you do well? What are your strengths?

I think I'm pretty fast. To be humble, I think I'm pretty fast. I can beat the player, and sometimes clear the balls out.

Your team is playing well. Why?

Caroline (Bruner, a sophomore) is also a lot of help, too. She's the other center back.

What's the formula for you guys to play well?

Me and Caroline--we have one go up, and one on defense. So one person will be kind of the offensive center back and push up, and the other will go back.

Do you know anything about SDHS (tonight's opponent)?

We've played them before. I know a couple of their kids. I know the center forward is pretty fast. I know that we beat them before, and I hope we will again.

LJ g soccer: Q&A with Abby Plezia

Defender Abby Plezia

before the Vikes' game at

Mira Mesa Tues., Jan.. 23.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Abby Plezia plays center midfielder for the La Jolla High soccer team. The Vikings are presently leading the City League with a 5-0 record through the first round of play. This conversation took place immediately before the Vikings' game at Mira Mesa Tues., Jan. 23.

Abby, your coach (Austin Mobley) pointed you out.

He wanted to be mean. (partially joking, serious voice)

You're a senior, one of the leaders?

Yeah.

And defensively, mainly?

Yeah, defensive center mid(fielder).

Tell me about that.

It's just about organizing the center mid's, and trying to be the go-between between the offense and defense, and trying to make sure the defensive structure is sound.

Are there things you try to be aware of, besides the things you mentioned?

Mainly, the best player in the center, which is who I take, which today we know from footage is number three in their attack, their center mid, which is who I'm marking today.

You guys are playing really well. Through the first four games (of five) in the first round (in league), your team has won every game so far. What is your team's outlook?

I think we're positive. We're not a hugely (over-) confident team. We try not to be arrogant. But we have a really good outlook, especially for our first year as D2 (Division 2 in CIF San Diego). And our ultimate goal is to win D2.

You do track, too, right?

Yeah.

In the spring only?

I'm doing track as well. I think it helps with just my speed and my conditioning. I'm planning on doing track in college as well.

What are you specializing in?

Middle distance and jumps.

Break that down--middle distance.

The 400, 800, long jump, and triple jump.

Good luck tonight.

LJ g soccer 2, Mira Mesa 0 - City League leaders

Photos by Ed Piper

Tahlia Zadeyan (16, right) did this incredible

spin move to take the ball away from

Mira Mesa midfielders Ariana Turner (4, left)

and Tiara Newberry (11, center)

early in the game.

Vikes' Ruby Davis (L) right before she kicks

her goal to put LJ up 2-0 in the fourth minute

of the second half.

Elle Hangartner (15) of La Jolla

goes against Marauders' Ariana Turner (4).

Vikes' Tahlia Zadeyan (L) vies against

Tiara Newberry (11) of Mira Mesa

at midfield.

Elle Hangartner on throw-in

Ruby Davis (3, left) gets congrats

after her goal in the fourth minute

of the second half.

LJ wrestling: Monte Vista Invitational 1/13

Photos by Ed Piper

Stanley Vishnevskiy

Freshman, 126

Stanley won this bout by pin in 2:56.

Liam Kressin (L), 135, won by decision, 12-11.=,

over Leonardo Montes of Calexico.

(See other blog entry with interview.)

Abraham Sierra (R), 135, won by decision, 9-2,

over Phillip Huynh of Crawford.

Elias Basilio (top), senior, 141

Patrick Fitzmaurice

Soph, 147

LJ b soccer: Game story 1/12

Viking Titouan Ferton (white jersey, right side,

partially hidden) and Rudy Vega (far left)

vie for the ball  midway through the second half.

Joao Matarazzo (11) is the Rattler in black jersey.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

La Jolla came back from a 1-0 deficit midway through the first half at Canyon Hills, then broke a 2-2 deadlock with an Evan Figueiredo goal with just 2:21 left in regulation time in the second half to down the Rattlers, 3-2, on their new turf field Fri., Jan. 12.

Viking Coach Pilar Flores was back in the fold after his one-game suspension Jan. 10 for a player's red card (recent CIF rule). The second-year coach was on hand to witness sophomore Marco Lopez's tying goal in the first period to get La Jolla on the scoreboard.

(Actually, there were two small electronic boards on each end of the field, with the old "Serra" scoreboard on the south hill demolished in the midst of construction to update facilities--it was very difficult to access the actual playing field with two fences between fans and the field.)

Then, only three or so minutes after Lopez's goal, compensation time kicking in, senior Koa Frankel hit a soaring shot from about the 20-yard line for the 2-1 La Jolla halftime lead.

Late in the second half, after Canyon Hills' Amin Abdullah's free kick with 20 minutes left equalized the count at 2-2, "Figgie" followed a teammate's shot that was blocked with his goal. The Vikings held on for the win.

La Jolla is 5-3 overall, 2-1 in the City League pending Jan. 19's result. At the time, the win over Canyon Hills upped the Vikings' record in league to 1-1.

LJ's Nico Bardaro (right, white jersey) and

Cairo Brown (32) of Canyon Hills leap to try

to held the ball midway through the second period.

LJ g water polo 13, Mt. Carmel 5 - SD Beaches Tourney

Senior Sophia Soltero (10) of La Jolla applies

pressure to lefty Meredith Stanton (3) of Mt. Carmel

on the 4-5 side early in Friday's evening contest.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

La Jolla, with a respite before the team's final push through the Western League schedule to prepare for the CIF playoffs, sailed through pool play in the San Diego Beaches Tournament Fri., Jan. 19, with wins of 18-1 over Del Norte and 13-5 against Mt. Carmel.

In the nightcap at 7 p.m., it took a quarter to get the Vikings' engine running. But then the trio of center Jordin Morrow and fellow seniors Margo Tempel and Katy Westphal showed the tourney hosts' dominance, as Coach Amy Jennings' squad pulled away to a 5-2 halftime lead.

Meanwhile, the Vikings' pressure defense was starting to give Mt. Carmel fits.

The Sundevils finally gave way in the second half, briefly putting up a fight to score a goal early in the third half before La Jolla scored at will to further build a superior lead.

After being down 2-1 with 2:41 left in the opening period, Tempel scored back-to-back goals for a 3-2 first-quarter advantage.

Early in the second period, Morrow lobbed a soft toss over Sundevil goalie Isabella Walker at the 6:00 mark. Then just before the buzzer, Margo blasted a shot into the cage from point-blank range for the three-goal halftime edge. It was pretty much all La Jolla after that.

Winning their "C" pool set up the hosts (16-6 overall, 4-2 in the Western League) for an 11 a.m. first game against Schurr in the predicted rain Sat., Jan.. 20 at Coggan Pool.

LJ g soccer 2, SDHS 1

Photos by Ed Piper

Tahlia Zadeyan (second from left) scores a goal

in the ninth minute of the first half.

Sawyer Moseley (11) scores another

goal for LJ in the 21st minute

of the first half.