Winter Sports Update 2/12/09
Posted February 12th, 2009 in High School Comments Off
The winter seasons are in the heat of the playoff hunt with one game to go. Here is how is how it breaks down after a long unraveling tie breaker scenario conversation with the League President:
· Boys Soccer: @ ACA tomorrow at 3:15P – Win = league title and #1 playoff seed; Tie = Co-League Title and 2nd playoff seed(ACA wins the tie breaker as the system is set up by the League Constitution); Loss = 3rd playoff seed (we would be in a ties with OC and OC would win the tie breaker as it the system is set up by the League Constitution)
· Girls Basketball: @ ACA tomorrow at 6:00P – Win = 3rd playoff seed (we would be in a tie with ACA and WC would win the ties breaker as the system is set up in the League Constitution; Loss = 4th place and an application for an at-large bid to the playoff.
· Girls Soccer: We have locked up no better or worse the 3rd seed for the playoffs whether we win or lose; NOTE: a WC loss and Loma Linda win would put us in ties with Loma Linda (WC wins the ties breaker as the system is set up in the League Constitution.
· Boys Basketball: at-large bid to be determined on Sunday.
NOTE: if your team is not represented thoroughly in this report it is because I have not received any updates lately from them.
BOY’S BASKETBALL
1/13/09
The Lancers boys’ varsity basketball team ran its record to 11-5 this past week, posting a 2-1 record with wins over Arroyo and AGBU (Pasadena). The loss came in the Christian League opener at Ontario Christian.
A balanced scoring attack keyed the 58-44 victory against Arroyo last Wednesday. Four Lancers scored in double digits – Mark McMahon (14 pts, 9 rebounds), Andrew Hyde (14), James Duruaku (11), and Gabe Perez (10 pts, 4 assists).
Opening the league schedule on the road at perennial powerhouse Ontario Christian last Friday, the Lancers fought back from a first half deficit to take a 31-29 lead going into the 4th quarter. Andrew Hyde led the team with 13 points in the intense, exciting contest – high school basketball at its best – but Western came up on the short end, 48-38.
The Lancers rebounded nicely in a nonleague game at home on Monday night, defeating AGBU of Pasadena, 59-38. Opening the game with a 24-6 first quarter run, Western was in control all the way. Sammy Santillano led the scoring with 18 points in basically three quarters of play, and James Duruaku had a strong all-around performance (15 pts, 8 rebounds, 5 assists). Sophomores Damian Jara (6 rebounds) and Mark McMahon (11 pts, 6 steals) also contributed to the strong team effort that brought the Lancers their eleventh win of the season.
2/10/09 After two tough league losses on the road, the Lancers boys’ basketball team was glad to host Loma Linda on January 22nd, and even happier with the result – a 56-51 victory. Led by point guard Gabe Perez’s 12 second half points (14 total), the team battled back from a six point halftime deficit to come away with the first league win in three seasons. A strong Arrowhead team was next on the schedule, and despite 26 points from senior James Duruaku and 15 from sophomore Andrew Hyde, the team fell, 70-58. On Friday night, January 30th, the gym was packed and anticipation was high for a showdown with perennial rival Ontario Christian, and the game lived up to the hype. The score seesawed back and forth and ended up knotted at 50 apiece at the end of regulation, with the final result a heartbreaking one point loss for the Lancers. Leading scorers were junior Sammy Santillano with 16 points and sophomore Mark McMahon with 12.
Hitting the road for a nonleague contest, the team travelled to Marshall Fundamental in Pasadena on February 2nd to face a very good Marshall team. The sophomore starters, McMahon (20 points) and Hyde (17 points), stepped up to lead the scoring, but the result was another close loss, 63-60. Rounding out last week’s action, Aquinas defeated the Lancers on Senior Night (Feb. 6th) by a score of 60-52, although the game was much closer than the final score indicated. Duruaku led all scorers with 18 points in his final home game.
With an overall record of 12-11, the team heads into the last two league games of the season on the road this week at Loma Linda and Arrowhead, and then it’s “wait and see” for the CIF playoff pairings.
GIRLS SOCCER
1/15/09
The girls varsity Soccer team enjoyed two wins this past week in league play. First up for the Western Christian Lady Lancers was Pomona Catholic. Western Christian scored early and often on the way to a 8-0 win. Several Lady Lancers found the back of the net for goals. Western Christian soaring was led by Seniors Gabby Trujillo (3 goals) and Marissa Reggio (2 goals). Niki Povero, Taylor Radford and Rebecca Rhinehart all scored 1 goal.
The Western Christian girls also scored a 3-0 win over Aquinas High School. Gabby Trujillo scored 2 goals and had 1 assist. Freshman Hannah Rhinehart scored the 3rd goal for the Lady Lancers. The score could have been higher as Western Christian had a few other shots on goal that sailed just inches wide or hit the crossbar. Senior Danielle Hunt helped to anchor the Lady Lancers on the defensive side and Senior Taylor Radford helped to control the middle of the field.
The next game for Western Christian is Thursday, Jan 22 against Loma Linda Academy.
2/11/09
The Western Christian girls varsity soccer team has enjoyed three straight wins in league play after two tough losses to rivals over the last couple of weeks.
On Jan 27, Western Christian played Arrowhead Christian and lost 4-2.
The Lady Lancers
went down 3-0 before getting two back to back goals from Senior Nike Povero to pull the Lancers to within 1 goal. Arrowhead Christian then scored a late goal that sealed the win for AC.
Three days later, the girls soccer team hit the field against Ontario Christian. Marrisa Reggio scored for WC on a perfectly placed free kick in a hard fought 3-1 loss.
In the next three games, the Lady Lancers found their scoring touch and played outstanding defense in shutting out all three opponents by a combined score of 23-0. On Feb 3rd, Western Christian went against Pomona Catholic and came away with a 8-0 victory as five different players scored goals.
Leading the way was Gabby Trujillo with 3 goals and Niki Povero with 2 goals.
Marrisa Reggio, Taylor Radford and Rebecca Rhinehart all scored 1 goal.
Next on the schedule was Aquinas HS on Feb 6. Western Christian won this game by a lopsided margin of 13-0 with 6 different girls scoring. Marrisa Reggio led the way with 4 goals and Gabby Trujillo has 4 goals. Niki Povero had 2 goals. Stacy Vaca, Hannah Rhinehart and Taylor Pierini each scored 1 goal.
On Feb 10, the Lady Lancers traveled to Loma Lima Academy to face a strong opponent. The Western Christian girls scored early in the game as Rebecca Rhinehart won a 50/50 ball, dribbled toward the end line and looped a shot into the net. Gabby Trujillo scored the 2nd goal on a penalty kick after being cut down from behind in the box on a breakaway. This scoring held up for a nice 2-0 win for the Lady Lancers.
Goalkeeper Crystal Hernandez made several saves to keep the shutout streak intact and the defense line comprised of Danielle Hunt, Carlee Dennis, Katelyn Montalvo and Taylor Pierini played stellar defense.
BOYS SOCCER
LEAGUE TITLE ON THE LINE TOMORROW AT ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN
The boys have rallied in league to a record of 5-1-1 and are currently tied for first place with Arrowhead Christian who is 4-0-3; both teams are tied with 11 points. The winner takes all and the first seed in the CIF playoffs. The loser will take the second seed for the CIF playoffs. This will be WCs 2nd playoff appearance in as many years. If the boys tie they will be CO Champions and coin flip will determine the first and second seed. This could be our first Boys Soccer league title since 2000.
To stay in the league title hunt on Tuesday Junior Zack Watkins scored the go ahead goal off an assist from Senior Anthony Llorens with 3 minutes left in the match giving WC the 3-2 win over Loma Linda Academy.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
THIRD PLAYOFF SEED ON THE LINE TOMORROW NIGHT AT ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN
The Ladies have maintained their battle to stay at .500 and remain in the playoff hunt. A win tomorrow night at Arrowhead Christian at 6:00P will put them in a record tie with the Eagles for the third playoff seed. However, the Lancers would win the tie breaker by sweeping the Eagle on the season. A loss for the Lancers would put their playoff hopes in the hands of the CIF At-Large Selection Committee.
Mark Gabbard
Athletic Director/Dean of Discipline
Western Christian High School
