High School Sports in Orange County https://www.ocregister.com Fri, 10 Nov 2023 05:34:24 +0000 en-US hourly 30 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.1 https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cropped-ocr_icon11.jpg?w=32 High School Sports in Orange County https://www.ocregister.com 32 32 126836891 Orange County scores and player stats for Thursday, Nov. 9 https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/09/orange-county-scores-and-player-stats-for-thursday-nov-9/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 03:17:41 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9665388&preview=true&preview_id=9665388 Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now


Scores and stats from Orange County games on Thursday, Nov. 9


Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

THURSDAY’S SCORES

GIRLS GOLF

CIF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIP

Los Serranos GC (par 74)

Team scores: 1 Santa Margarita 364; 2. Walnut 376; 3. Torrey Pines 380; 4. Peninsula 389; 5. Northwood 392; 6. Rancho Bernardo 417; 7. Buchanan 417; 8. Clovis West 436; 9. Palisades 465; 10. Granada Hills Charter 558

Top individual scores: 1. Donina Zhou (Santa Margarita) 69 (Individual champion in one-hole playoff); 2. Kaila Elsayegh (Marlborough) 69; T3. Asterisk Talley (Chowcilla) 71; T3. Leigh Chien (Santa Margarita) 71; T3. Sehee Sim (Torrey Pines) 71; T3. Yurang Li (Sunny Hills) 71; T3. Kacey Ly (Temple City) 71; T8. Kandice Chuang (Buckley) 72: T8. Lauren Lee (Mater Dei) 72; T8. Juliet Oh (Diamond Bar) 72; T8. Anna Song (Palisades) 72; T8. Lauren Shin (Los Alamitos) 72.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CIF SOCAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Round II

DIVISION I

Palos Verdes def. JSerra, 25-23, 10-25, 25-20, 25-22

La Canada def. Orange Lutheran, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22

San Luis Obispo def. Beckman, 29-27, 25-23, 25-21

DIVISION III

Poway def. Sunny Hills, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19

DIVISION V

Orangewood Academy def. Caifornia City, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16

 

 

 

 

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9665388 2023-11-09T19:17:41+00:00 2023-11-09T20:43:51+00:00
Girls basketball preview: Orange County preseason Top 10 https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/09/girls-basketball-preview-orange-county-preseason-top-10/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:32:42 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9665151&preview=true&preview_id=9665151 Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now


O.C. PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Mater Dei: The Trinity League juggernaut didn’t lose to a county foe last season and will again be tough to beat. Reigning county player of the year Addison Deal returns as a versatile guard (15 ppg) while Duke commit Jenessa Cotton provides the inside muscle (12.4 ppg, 6.1 reb.). The Monarchs round out their starting lineup with Amaya Williams, Kaeli Wynn and Devyn Kiernan, the daughter of coach Kevin Kiernan. Depth has been a strength but the Monarchs’ roster doesn’t appear to be as deep as last season.

  • Members of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team...

    Members of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team starting lineup from left: Amaya Williams, Kaeli Wynn, Jenessa Cotton, Addison Deal, and Devyn Kiernan, in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Addison Deal is a member of the Mater Dei High...

    Addison Deal is a member of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Kaeli Wynn is a member of the Mater Dei High...

    Kaeli Wynn is a member of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Members of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team...

    Members of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team starting lineup from left: Devyn Kiernan, Kaeli Wynn, Jenessa Cotton, Addison Deal, and Amaya Williams, in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Amaya Williams is a member of the Mater Dei High...

    Amaya Williams is a member of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Devyn Kiernan is a member of the Mater Dei High...

    Devyn Kiernan is a member of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Jenessa Cotton is a member of the Mater Dei High...

    Jenessa Cotton is a member of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Members of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team...

    Members of the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team starting lineup from left: Amaya Williams, Kaeli Wynn, Jenessa Cotton, Addison Deal, and Devyn Kiernan, in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Mater Dei is expected to have one of the top teams in the state this season. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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2. Sage Hill: It’s the final, united run for five products of Kobe Bryant’s Mambas travel team. Emily Eadie, Kat Righeimer, Zoie Lamkin and Annabelle Spotts are seniors while Amalia Holguin is a sophomore. Eadie, Righeimer and Spotts have committed to Princeton, Northwestern and Chicago, respectively. The defending Pacific Coast League champion figures to have strong chemistry, and improved depth. Senior Aurora Elder, a 6-foot-3 post, arrived from Riverside Poly. The unit will also lean on freshman Kamdyn Klamberg and sophomore Alyssa Cuff.

Orange Lutheran forward Sheridan Kennedy, right, shoots over Etiwanda forward Ryann Riddle during the second half of a CIF prep girls basketball game in the Troy Classic in Fullerton, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran forward Sheridan Kennedy, right, shoots over Etiwanda forward Ryann Riddle during the second half of a CIF prep girls basketball game in the Troy Classic in Fullerton, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)

3. Orange Lutheran: The reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion will mix several returners with some newcomers. The backcourt duo of Shea Joko and Kelly Garrity returns along with versatile guard/forward Princess Cassell and post Sheridan Kennedy. Joko, the Division 1 player of the year last season, will be joined by her freshman sister Lexi. Orange Lutheran lost post Taliyah McFerson, who transferred to Lynwood, but added three transfers, including post Emalynn Vong from Orangewood Academy.

4. Rosary: The Division 1 semifinalist from last season will team Loyola Marymount-committed guard Allison Clarke with an array of intriguing transfers and freshmen. Clarke, a first-team All-County selection, joins forces with Troy transfer Kayla Borgelt, a third-team All-County selection. The newcomers include twins Calista and Mikayla Purwadi from Indonesia and point guard Rihanna Meaders.

5. Buena Park: The Coyotes, the Division 4AA runner-up last season, return three of their four top sophomores in Alana White, Bella Harmon and Ava Wiley, daughter of coach DeAnthony Wiley. They also added three transfers in All-County forward Mya Barnes of Rosary, forward Gloria Barrera of St. Paul and guard Hannah Fuentes of Orangewood Academy. The squad lost speedy point guard Sydnie Lendsey to a transfer to Santa Margarita.

San Juan Hills' Aryanna Hudson brings the ball up the court during a South Coast League game against San Clemente on Thursday, February 2, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Juan Hills’ Aryanna Hudson brings the ball up the court during a South Coast League game against San Clemente on Thursday, February 2, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

6. San Juan Hills: The reigning South Coast League champion remains formidable with the return of All-County selections Anna Shreeve and Aryanna Hudson, along with well-rounded Sydney Peterson. Hudson committed to Vanguard. The Stallions added Trabuco Hills transfer sophomore Olivia Morgan but still face a void after graduating All-County guard Amanda Edwards, now at Weber State.

7. Fairmont Prep: The Huskies and first-year coach Josh Lozano are on the rise. Their returning core is led by improving sophomore point guard Adyra Rajan, a third-team All-County pick. They also have added 6-foot-2 post Sarah Aldeguer, who has played for the French 15-and-under national team. Long Beach Poly transfer post Lesina Afu will join the mix after the sitout period.

8. Esperanza: The undersized Aztecs are retooling after graduating All-County guard Kaiya Mack, now at Cal Lutheran. Sophomore guard Madi Lam is the top returner and coming off a stellar flag football season playing under Jimmy Valverde, also the Aztecs’ basketball coach. The Crestview League champion also returns sharp-shooter Charlotte Muller.

9. Orangewood Academy: The San Joaquin League contender will blend its returners and with some intriguing newcomers. All-County forward Maria Mejia leads the group of returners that includes point Vicky Om, who missed last season with a knee injury. The squad added international players in Ndeye Astou Ndiaye, a 6-foot junior, and Vivian Grenald, a 6-foot-1 freshman.

10. Portola: The Pacific Coast League runner-up from last season begins the post-Moka Saika era by returning four starters. The key player is point guard Kira Watanabe, who continues to raise her game. The senior will lead one of the fastest squads in the county.

Also considered: Brea Olinda, Crean Lutheran, San Clemente, Sonora, Woodbridge

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9665151 2023-11-09T16:32:42+00:00 2023-11-09T16:34:12+00:00
Girls basketball preview: Orange County’s Top 10 players to watch https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/09/girls-basketball-preview-orange-county-top-10-players-to-watch/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:32:00 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9665142&preview=true&preview_id=9665142 Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now


TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Princess Cassell, Orange Lutheran, Sr., G

The well-rounded Cassell is generating Division I college interest with her ability to sink 3-pointers, attack the basket and play active defense. She earned third-team All-County honors last season.

Orange Lutheran guard Princess Cassell, right, moves past Marlborough guard Lauren Munoz to score a basket in the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship basketball game in Anaheim on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran guard Princess Cassell, right, moves past Marlborough guard Lauren Munoz to score a basket in the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship basketball game in Anaheim on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Allison Clarke, Rosary, Sr., G

The Loyola Marymount commit averaged 19.5 points and 2.6 steals last season en route to first-team All-County honors. She scored at least 30 points five times during the regular season.

Jenessa Cotton, Mater Dei, Sr., F

The Duke commit combines excellent shooting touch from the perimeter with the ability score inside and rebound. The 6-foot-3 Cotton has the talent to contend for county player of the year.

Addison Deal, Mater Dei, Jr., G

The reigning O.C. player of the year is coming off a strong summer in which her offensive arsenal continued to evolve. The 6-foot Deal is the No. 1-ranked junior in California, and No. 12 in the nation, according to HoopGurlz Recruiting.

Emily Eadie, Sage Hill, Sr., F

The Princeton commit is one of the county’s most complete players. She led the Lightning last season in scoring (15.2 ppg), rebounding (11.2) and assists (3.0) en route to first-team All-County honors.

Amalia Holguin, Sage Hill, So., G

The freshman burst onto the scene last season by averaging 14.4 points — on 35 percent shooting from beyond the 3-point line — and 2.6 steals. Be ready for an encore.

Orange Lutheran guard Shea Joko leaps to make a pass against Etiwanda during the second half of a CIF prep girls basketball game in the Troy Classic in Fullerton, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran guard Shea Joko leaps to make a pass against Etiwanda during the second half of a CIF prep girls basketball game in the Troy Classic in Fullerton, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)

Shea Joko, Orange Lutheran, Sr., G

The reigning Division 1 player of the year proved herself last season with clutch performances in the playoffs. She’s a gifted shooter but watch for her passing and defense, too.

Kat Righeimer, Sage Hill, Sr., F

The Northwestern commit has improved each season so expect the versatile senior to build off her averages last winter of 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Anna Shreeve, San Juan Hills, Jr., F

The athletic junior continued her rise last season by leading the South Coast League champion in scoring (14.9), rebounds (7.6) and steals (3.0).

Amaya Williams, Mater Dei, Jr., G

The 5-foot-10 guard has made a “huge jump”, Monarchs coach Kevin Kiernan said, and holds about 15 Division I-level college offers.

Please send girls basketball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy

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9665142 2023-11-09T16:32:00+00:00 2023-11-09T21:34:24+00:00
Girls basketball preview: Mater Dei ready for challenges near and far from home https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/09/girls-basketball-preview-mater-dei-ready-for-challenges-near-and-far-from-home/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:31:04 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9665132&preview=true&preview_id=9665132 Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now


Mater Dei’s girls basketball team knows the challenges on the horizon.

There’s reigning state champion Etiwanda, which beat the Monarchs 71-58 in the CIF-SS Open Division semifinals last season.

There’s Sierra Canyon, which defeated Mater Dei 59-47 in the SoCal Open Regional semifinals and has since added touted transfer guard Jerzy Robinson.

And closer to home, there’s Sage Hill, which returns its starting five and added a key transfer.

So where does this leave Mater Dei?

“We’ve got a shot,” said coach Kevin Kiernan, who enters his 17th season leading the Monarchs. “Anything can happen.”

Mater Dei guard Addison Deal, moves around a Sage Hill defender to put up a shot in the first round of the CIF Southern California Regional Open Division Playoffs in Santa Ana on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei guard Addison Deal, moves around a Sage Hill defender to put up a shot in the first round of the CIF Southern California Regional Open Division Playoffs in Santa Ana on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Mater Dei, No. 1 in the Orange County preseason rankings, will lean on top returners Addison Deal and Jenessa Cotton, who recently committed to Duke.

The Monarchs’ mix also features sophomore sharp-shooter Kaeli Wynn, improved guards Amaya Williams and Devyn Kiernan and Emily Shaw.

“I think we’re going to be pretty good,” Kiernan said. “We’ll play three point guards: Addie, Devyn and Amaya.”

One development to watch is the addition of Wynn’s mother, Jody, as an assistant coach. The former University of Washington and Long Beach State women’s basketball coach has been working on retooling Mater Dei’s offense, Kiernan said.

“We are very fortunate to have her on staff this year,” he said of Wynn, who starred at Brea Olinda before playing at USC.

“(We) want to promote great spacing and more ball movement and depend on reads instead of set plays. (The) last few years, we could always let (point guard) Caia (Elisaldez) loose. (We’re a) different team with a good mix of length, speed and shooting.”

Mater Dei could face Sage Hill in the Troy Classic, which begins Dec. 4, and Etiwanda in the Nike Holiday Classic in Portland, Ore., Dec. 28-30.

“I think they have the best returners in Orange County,” Kiernan said of Sage Hill. “(Etiwanda) is a super-team.”

SANTA ANA STEPPING UP

Mater Dei opens its season Nov. 22 against visiting Santa Ana, a Division 5AA team which approached the Monarchs about the nonleague game.

“To be better, you have to play the best,” Saints coach Calvin Barnes said. “I wanted (my players) to be exposed to the (high-level) game and to go back home and hopefully learn and have the want to be that great because at the end of the day, we won’t be playing those types of teams.”

NOTES

San Clemente All-County forward Zona Miller suffered a knee injury playing soccer in May and is not expected to play this season, Tritons coach Kerri Husbands said. “She is competing in rehab like she competes on the court,” Husbands added. …

Brea Olinda point guard Sarah Wong (shoulder) will miss the season, Ladycats coach Craig Matthews said. …

Buena Park, San Juan Hills and Fairmont Prep — all ranked in the county preseason Top 10 — will play in the Oxford Academy tournament that starts Monday. The tournament field includes Brea Olinda and Troy. …

Josh Lozano is the new coach at Fairmont Prep. He replaced Sara Brown, who is now at Canyon.

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9665132 2023-11-09T16:31:04+00:00 2023-11-09T16:31:17+00:00
Foothill moves football playoff game to Valencia High because of air-quality issue https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/09/foothill-might-have-to-move-football-playoff-game-because-of-air-quality-issue/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 17:21:44 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9664113&preview=true&preview_id=9664113 Foothill has moved its CIF-SS football playoff game Friday from Tustin High to Valencia High in Placentia because of unhealthy air quality in the Tustin area this week.

The air near Tustin High has been deemed unhealthy for athletic events. The condition has been caused by a fire that destroyed the north hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station this week.

Foothill is the home team for the Division 5 quarterfinal game against Newbury Park. Foothill plays its home football games at Northrup Field, which is on the Tustin High campus.

The decision to move the game was made Thursday.

Foothill coach Doug Case said the school had secured Valencia High’s Bradford Stadium, which is roughly 14 miles north of Tustin High, as a backup location when the game’s status was in doubt.

Tustin Unified School District schools were closed Thursday because of the air quality, so Foothill was not allowed to practice.

Foothill defeated Aquinas last week to advance to the Division 5 quarterfinals.

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9664113 2023-11-09T09:21:44+00:00 2023-11-09T12:15:45+00:00
Newport Harbor boys water polo edges Harvard-Westlake on buzzer-beater to reach CIF-SS finals https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/08/newport-harbor-boys-water-polo-edges-harvard-westlake-on-buzzer-beater-to-reach-cif-ss-finals/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:59:31 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9663529&preview=true&preview_id=9663529 Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now


A shooting star across the pool. A dream come true. A once in-a-lifetime high school match.

Those were some of the descriptions from Newport Harbor’s boys water polo team Wednesday night after it edged visiting Harvard-Westlake 12-11 in the CIF-SS Open Division semifinals on a stunning, buzzer-beating goal by Connor Ohl.

The sophomore attacker and transfer from Connecticut narrowly beat the clock at the end of regulation by scoring on the power-play on a shot from the wing.

The goal ignited a wild celebration by the Newport Harbor bench and faithful as the two-time defending Open Division champion kept its hopes of a three-peat alive.

“It was a dream,” Ohl said of the goal, which followed an exclusion drawn by Peter Castillo with 14 seconds left. “It was extremely close. It could have gone either way. The shot came off my hand and the buzzer sounded as it was probably leaving my fingertips.”

  • Connor Ohl (14) of Newport Harbor, right, pumps his fist...

    Connor Ohl (14) of Newport Harbor, right, pumps his fist after scoring in the last seconds of the game to defeat Harvard Westlake during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Newport Harbor coaches and players celebrate Newport Harbor’s Connor Ohl...

    Newport Harbor coaches and players celebrate Newport Harbor’s Connor Ohl scored a last second goal to defeat Harvard Westlake 12-11 in the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Newport Harbor coach Joey Fuentes, right, jumps in the air...

    Newport Harbor coach Joey Fuentes, right, jumps in the air as he celebrates with fans after Newport Harbor’s Connor Ohl scored a last second goal to defeat Harvard Westlake 12-11 in the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Peter Castillo (4) of Newport Harbor scores on a penalty...

    Peter Castillo (4) of Newport Harbor scores on a penalty shot to tie the score at 11-11 in a game against Harvard Westlake during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • The Newport Harbor fan section erupts after Connor Ohl (14)...

    The Newport Harbor fan section erupts after Connor Ohl (14) of Newport Harbor scores a last second goal to defeat Harvard Westlake 12-11 in the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Connor Kim (21) of Harvard Westlake passes over Trey Smith...

    Connor Kim (21) of Harvard Westlake passes over Trey Smith (3) of Newport Harbor of during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Kai Kaneko (13) of Newport Harbor and Connor Kim (21)...

    Kai Kaneko (13) of Newport Harbor and Connor Kim (21) of Harvard Westlake collide as Kaneko attempts to take a shot during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Gavin Appeldorn (2) of Newport Harbor takes a shot over...

    Gavin Appeldorn (2) of Newport Harbor takes a shot over the defense of Otto Stothard (17) of Harvard Westlake during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Owen Tift (5) of Newport Harbor attempts to blocks the...

    Owen Tift (5) of Newport Harbor attempts to blocks the shot of Aidan Romain (24) of Harvard Westlake during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Tai Draper (15) of Harvard Westlake takes a shot over...

    Tai Draper (15) of Harvard Westlake takes a shot over Kai Kaneko (13) of Newport Harbor during the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division boys water polo playoffs at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Newport Harbor (26-3) faces No. 1 seed and undefeated JSerra (26-0) in the finals Saturday at Mt. SAC in Walnut.

Video replay showed Ohl’s cross-cage shot in the air and headed toward the far corner with 1 second remaining on the shot clock.

“It looked like a shooting star in the sky,” said Castillo, a UCLA commit who drew his ninth and final exclusion coming out a Newport Harbor timeout with 31 seconds left.

Ohl’s fourth goal — all of which came on the power-play — capped Newport Harbor’s rally from an 8-5 deficit in the middle of the third period. It also provided the most dramatic victory of the Sailors’ resurgence under coach Ross Sinclair at his alma mater.

“I haven’t been part of a game like this in a high school setting,” said Sinclair, who has guided the Sailors to five consecutive appearances in the top-division final. “It was fun to be part of and it was fun to be able to have the opportunity to go run a play, and execute a play, and run a 6-on-5, and execute, and get out that way.”

Newport Harbor called timeout with 31 seconds following a save by goalie Luke Harris on a shot from center.

The Sailors then drove Castillo from the top of the perimeter into center and made four passes before left-handed sophomore Mason Netzer slipped a pin-point entry pass into 2 meters. Castillo took the ball with his right hand and drew the exclusion as he turned toward the Harvard-Westlake cage.

On the winning goal, Netzer faked a shot from his wing before passing cross-pool to Ohl.

Sinclair praised Netzer for the pass. The coach, Ohl and Harvard-Westlake coach Jack Grover also credited Castillo for drawing the exclusion. It was a huge play in the team’s fourth and biggest match of the fall.

“I got to commend Peter on his leadership,” Grover said of Castillo, who scored five goals. “We’ve done a really, really good job of shutting that guy out of games this year. He’s never made it about himself, and he finally got his game.”

Castillo’s play at center helped Newport Harbor go 6 of 13 with the extra attacker and 1 for 1 on penalty shots. Harvard-Westlake went 2 for 5 on the power-play and made its only penalty.

The Wolverines led 4-2 after the first period and netted a buzzer-beater at halftime to push their lead to 7-5.

Castillo scored from center with 41 seconds left in the third period to give Newport Harbor its first lead at 9-8. The score knotted three more times before the dramatic conclusion.

“Top-three high school game I’ve seen,” Hall of Fame El Toro coach Don Stoll said.

Ohl’s stat line also included five steals.

Left-hander Dean Strauster had four goals to lead Harvard-Westlake.

“It was a beautiful game but sometimes certain things don’t go your favor,” Grover said. “It’s tough but I’m really proud of my guys.”

Also in the Open Division:

JSerra 14, Corona del Mar 6: Ryder Dodd returned from helping the U.S. men’s team secure a 2024 Olympic berth at the Pan American Games to net seven goals for the host Lions. JSerra advanced to its second straight Open final.

In Division 2:

San Marcos 13, Portola 6: Center Luke Porter scored three goals and Noam Garibi, Kasra Sowlat and Ryder Tonkovich each added one in the loss for the visiting Bulldogs.

In Division 3:

Canyon 16, Murrieta Valley 14: Goalie Aidan Demkiw and center Adam Hermreck — both seniors — played well to help the visiting Comanches (26-5) reach their first section final. They play undefeated El Segundo (31-0) on Saturday at Mt. SAC.

In Division 4:

Woodbridge 11, San Dimas 7: Ben Chan made 12 saves, including a penalty shot in the first half, to help the Warriors (26-9) reach their first section final. Woodbridge will play Bonita on Saturday at Mt. SAC.

In Division 6:

Anaheim 11, Chaffey 8: The host Colonists, in their fourth season since reviving the program, opened a 9-6 lead in the third period and advanced to their first section final. They will play Summit in the finals Saturday at Mt. SAC.

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9663529 2023-11-08T21:59:31+00:00 2023-11-09T00:13:06+00:00
Laguna Beach boys water polo tops Foothill in OT to win Division 1 semifinal https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/08/laguna-beach-boys-water-polo-tops-foothill-in-ot-to-win-division-1-semifinal/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:24:45 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9663520&preview=true&preview_id=9663520 TUSTIN — For more than three quarters, the CIF SS Division 1 boys water polo semifinal between Foothill and Laguna Beach was too close to call.

In fact, the score was tied after regulation and six minutes of overtime were needed to decide the winner.

That’s when the Breakers took control of the contest and came away with a 12-11 victory.

The victory sets up an all-Surf League final on Saturday at Mt. SAC in Walnut between the Breakers (18-12), the No. 2 team in the division, and Huntington Beach, the top-ranked team.

The Oilers defeated Mira Costa, 13-7, in the other Division 1 semifinal Wednesday.

Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach have played four times this season, with the Oilers winning three of those contests.

With the victory over Foothill (7-12), the Breakers got a measure of revenge after being knocked out of the Division 1 semifinals last season by the Knights.

“Ever since last year we’ve been thinking about that, about the game against Foothill,” the Breakers’ Diego Audebert said. “So, we were really excited to get this back and I’m really happy to get this win.”

Audebert and Cade Anderton scored four goals each to lead the Breakers.

Corbin Stanley scored four goals to lead the Knights.

The Knights scored three quick goals in the opening minutes of the match to take a 3-0 lead.

But the Breakers followed with three quick goals to tie the score and one more to take a 4-3 lead.

Foothill scored in the final seconds of the first to make the score 4-4 going into the second and neither team had a decided advantage until overtime.

Maxwell Schlaich scored with under a minute left in the first three-minute overtime period to give the Breakers an 11-10 lead.

Gavin Good then scored a huge goal on a pass from Aderton to give Laguna Beach a 12-10 lead with 1:12 left in the second overtime period.

Stanley scored for the Knights with eight seconds left but the Breakers kept possession to run the final seconds off the clock.

“We’ve always been a really conditioned, fit program, so we swim a lot, and I think that really, really helped,” Laguna Beach coach Cameron Hauer said. “I think we were pretty calm, cool, composed the whole time, and sometimes we get really amped.

“I just don’t think we ever had that moment where my team looked gassed.”

Foothill coach Dean Crow said his team wanted to hold the Breakers to no more than eight goals.

“We could have played a little better on defense,” Crow said. “It wasn’t quite there for us. I told the guys, this far into the tournament, it’s going to come down to the fourth quarter and overtime. The game is going to be won or lost in the last three minutes.”

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9663520 2023-11-08T21:24:45+00:00 2023-11-08T21:24:49+00:00
Video: Dan Albano and Steve Fryer predict the winners of the top games in the CIF-SS football quarterfinals https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/08/video-dan-albano-and-steve-fryer-predict-the-winners-of-the-top-games-in-the-cif-ss-football-quarterfinals/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:08:45 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9663507&preview=true&preview_id=9663507 OCVarsity’s Dan Albano and Steve Fryer get together for their weekly Gridiron Show to discuss the top high school football playoff games in Orange County this week.

The quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs are this week, and the big matchup is Servite vs. Long Beach Poly in Division 2. See what they have to say about that game and other top contests this week.

 

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9663507 2023-11-08T21:08:45+00:00 2023-11-08T21:08:49+00:00
Mira Costa boys water polo falls to Huntington Beach in CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/08/mira-costa-boys-water-polo-falls-to-huntington-beach-in-cif-ss-division-1-semifinal/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 03:41:24 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9663375&preview=true&preview_id=9663375
  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Costas Grant He takes a shot. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Costas Grant He tries to block a shot by Huntingtons Charlie Jones. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Huntingtons Logan Garwick takes a shot over Mira Costas Kalani Nelson. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Huntingtons Christian Hammonds stiff arms Costas Flynn Guentler. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Costas Kalani Nelson passes over Huntingtons Christian Hammonds. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Huntingtons Jay Pyle lets a shot on goal get past him. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Huntingtons Isaac Squires goes for the ball. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Huntingtons Mikey Trujillo takes a shot. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

  • Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1...

    Huntington Beach took on Mira Costa in CIFSS Div. 1 boys water polo Wednesday night at Mira Costa. Huntingtons Ethan Spoon takes a shot on Costa goalie Hunter Gregory (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)

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MANHATTAN BEACH — Even as his team was beginning to create separation in the second half, Huntington Beach boys water polo coach Sasa Branisavljevic implored his players to “know where the best shooter is” in the pool for Mira Costa.

However, an eight-goal deficit entering the fourth quarter of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff semifinal contest was too much for a late Mustangs rally to overcome Wednesday.

Mira Costa watched as Huntington Beach milked the clock late and lost 13-7, sending the Oilers to Saturday’s championship match at Mt. San Antonio College.

Huntington Beach is hoping a third time’s a charm, with Branisavljevic recalling CIF-SS championship losses in 2019 and 2016.

“I think we’re overdue,” he said.

The Mustangs (18-12), who trailed by as many as nine with 4 1/2 minutes left, reeled off four consecutive goals after both team’s starting goalkeepers were pulled to creep within 12-7 — including the last three from Maddox McEwen, who started his late charge by converting a penalty shot.

McEwen finished with a game-high five goals for Mira Costa, which was unable to avenge an 11-6 loss to Huntington Beach (20-10) in late September.

Aside from the playoff setting, Mustangs coach Jon Reichardt said nothing felt too different compared to the first meeting.

“We knew what they were going to do,” Reichardt said. “They did press us a little more than we thought they would, but it just wasn’t our night. Missed some shots we should’ve put in.”

Much like he started the match, Oilers attacker Christian Hammonds put the finishing touches on the victory with his team-high third goal inside the final minute.

“The luck was on our side, especially the early part of the game,” Branisavljevic said. “We hit our shots.”

In the final, Huntington Beach will face Laguna Beach, which narrowly defeated Santa Ana Foothill in the other semifinal 12-11. The Oilers won three of four meetings between the team this season, with the lone loss a 13-12 decision on Oct. 11.

Hammonds had two goals in the opening quarter, including a skip shot off the water with 0.39 seconds left to give Huntington Beach a 2-1 lead.

“It’s little things like that,” Reichart said. “You’ve got to keep pace and we didn’t do a good job of that.”

It was a standout quarter for both starting goalkeepers. The Oilers’ Jay Pyle made five of his 11 saves in the frame, while the Mustangs’ Hunter Gregory had four of his six stops.

“He’s one heckuva goalie. Jay is awesome,” Branisavljevic said.

Huntington Beach’s depth — three players are committed to Division I collegiate programs — was just too much in the middle two quarters. Four different players scored in the second to take a 6-2 lead into the break.

“Once you let the other team have the momentum and they can get rolling, then you lose yours and it’s taking one big step back,” McEwen said.

Mira Costa stopped a 6-0 run on McEwen’s third-quarter goal quickly off an Oilers’ exclusion foul to pull within 8-3.

Huntington Beach answered with three more goals, though, to extend the advantage to 11-3 through three quarters.

Reichardt said he was proud of the fight in a team that swept through the Bay League this season.

“Semifinals (appearance) in Division 1, that’s solid,” Reichardt said.

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9663375 2023-11-08T19:41:24+00:00 2023-11-08T20:08:37+00:00
Orange County scores and player stats for Wednesday, Nov. 8 https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/08/orange-county-scores-and-player-stats-for-wednesday-nov-8/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 03:09:50 +0000 https://www.ocregister.com/?p=9663357&preview=true&preview_id=9663357 Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now


Scores and stats from Orange County games on Wednesday, Nov. 8


Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

WEDNESDAY’S SCORES

GIRLS TENNIS

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION

Mater Dei 14, Peninsula 4

Westlake 10, Palos Verdes 8

DIVISION 1

Aliso Niguel 11, Fountain Valley 7

Los Osos 11, King/Riverside 7

DIVISION 2

Calabasas 11, San Clemente 7

Laguna Beach 12, Crossroads 6

DIVISION 4

Crean Lutheran 14, San Dimas 4

Oxford Academy 12, Esperanza 6

BOYS WATER POLO

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION

JSerra 14, Corona del Mar 6

Goals: (JS) Dodd 7, Bell 2, Schneider 2

Saves: (JS) Ransford 10

Newport Harbor 12, Harvard-Westlake 11

Goals: (NH) Castillo 5, Ohl 4. (HW) Strauster 4

Saves: (NH) Harris 6. (HW) Peace 6

DIVISION 1

Huntington Beach 13, Mira Costa 7

Laguna Beach 12, Foothill 11

DIVISION 2

San Marcos 13, Portola 6

Dos Pueblos 10, Ventura 9

DIVISION 3

El Segundo 18, University 16

Yucaipa 10, Pasadena Poly 7

DIVISION 4

Temecula Valley 9, La Habra 8

Bonita 12, Hoover 8

DIVISION 6

Summit 22, Edgewood 4

Anaheim 11, Colony 8

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CIF STATE/REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Division 1

Huntington Beach def. Torrey Pines, 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 19-25, 16-14

Mater Dei def. Los Alamitos, 25-16, 25-17, 25-17.

 

 

 

 

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