Chaminade High School

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Loyola tops Chaminade 5-2

After a 9-2 win against Granada Hills High School on Saturday, the Chaminade High School baseball team looked to get over the .500 mark in league against Loyola High School. University of Washington commit Tommy Costello (’16) was on the mound for the Eagles, going up against the University of Southern Carlifornia commit Henry Stellwagen (’15).

Chaminade junior and team USA member Blake Rutherford started things off in the first inning with a home run over right field to put the Eagles up 1-0. Costello was yet to give up a hit through the first two innings, and was also getting it done with the bat. Costello had two singles, including one that sent Dallas Tessar home to tie the game 2-2 in the fourth inning.  

Costello slowed down as the game went on, giving up two straight singles to start off the fifth inning, and then a RBI double later in the inning that gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead.  

The Eagles got some great opportunities late in the game to potentially tie it up, or even take the lead. Rutherford, the team’s most powerful hitter, was up to bat in the fifth inning with two outs, and two runners on base. The future UCLA commit made solid contact, but the center fielder hardly had to move to catch the final out of the inning.

Another opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth, still down 3-2, as Nick Kahle, Blake Solis, and Costello—three of the team’s elite hitters—were the order to start off the bottom of the inning. Stellwagen sat them all down, keeping his team in the lead going into the seventh inning.  

Costello continued to show signs of fatigue, and it was most evident in the last inning. The Cubs had bases loaded, as Costello hit two batters, with one of their best hitters, Awari Muoneke up to bat. Muoneke hit a deep double, sending two players home and giving the Cubs a comfortable three run cushion.  

Michael Tubbs started the attempted last inning comeback by getting walked, but the Eagles failed to record a hit for the rest of the inning and lost 5-2.  

The Eagles have had a disappointing start to the season, but are yet to be at full strength. Tessar has been dealing with an ankle injury the past few weeks, and is still recovering; he can only be a designated hitter until he is 100 percent. Aidan Dolan, a pitcher, recently ended basketball season, and is still getting into the mix of things. Lastly, Anthony Acosta, a talented second basemen, has to sit out a few more weeks due to CIF transfer rules. Once the Eagles have Tessar and Acosta back in the infield, this team could be a dangerous team in the playoffs. 

—Matt Patterson 

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Mater Dei tops Chaminade in regional state finals

The third time’s the charm.  After defeating the Mater Dei Monarchs two times this year by a combined two points, the Eagles finally fell to the No. 1-ranked team in the country.  Chaminade had just beaten Mater Dei a few weeks ago in the CIF finals thanks to a game winning jump shot by sophomore Isabel Newman.  On Saturday night, Chaminade lost by a final score of 48-44.  

The game got off to a very slow start, unlike the previous game when Katie Lou Samuelson came out firing.  Samuelson recently won the National Gatorade of the Year, and is going to the University of Connecticut next year.  

Free throws and fouls were the story of the game.  The Eagles struggled to get any open looks early, but got to the free throw line with ease all game long.  The Eagles shot 38 free throws, but only made 24.  Fouls took two of the Eagles starters out of the game for the last two minutes.  Jasmine Moore, and Leaonna Odom both fouled out.  Odom played a tremendous game.  She held the best player in the country to only 16 points, fourteen under her season average, and only two field goal makes.  

However, those two field goals basically won Mater Dei the game.  Samuelson had six points in less than a minute to lead the Monarchs back after trailing by five with about two minutes left.  

The Eagles leading scorers were Odom with 14, and Fecske with 13.  Fecske played her last game with a Chaminade jersey, and recently committed to play at Pepperdine  

It was a definitely a special season for the Eagles.  They beat several  nationally ranked teams, including Alemany, Long Beach Poly, St. Ignatius, and Mater Dei (twice).  Coach K and her team finished as the CIF open division champions and Mission League champs.  

The Eagles currently sit at number two in the country according to Maxpreps, but don’t be surprised if they are ranked around the same spot next year.  Two of the top players in the 2016 class (Odom and Valerie Higgins) are returning for their senior years, and two other starters (Melissa Wright and Moore) will also be returning.  Wright did not play in this game because of a shoulder injury.

For Mater Dei, they will face St. Mary’s (number five in the country) on March 28 in the open division state championship.  

-Matt Patterson

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Boys volleyball loses to Harvard-Westlake

It was a tough loss last night for the boys’ volleyball team at Chaminade’s home gym. After a long, hard battle, Harvard-Westlake swept the match in three games. Despite the tough loss, Chaminade battled hard and played scrappy enough to fill the game with entertaining rallies. Right out of the gate, Chaminade began with an intimidating warmup and did have a height advantage.  It seemed that this was going to be a close game.

From the start, it was apparent that Harvard-Westlake would utilize their pin hitters.  But while Harvard-Westlake did have their stand out hits, Chaminade’s back row was there to pick up many of them.  Cameron Ring and Gus Hurlbut were ready to pass and the night was filled with phenomenal digs. Chaminade’s liberos were not the only ones providing spectacular defense. JP Pantin, Chaminade’s setter, proved to have the hustle and speed needed in order to pick up and save many shanked passes. Even when a ball seemed nearly impossible to pop up, he surprised the crowd with a saving play.

Chaminade’s Mike Henzgen, a sophomore, led the team in offense and defense. Henzgen may be shorter than the average volleyball player, but he has a vertical like no other. Many of the night’s points were scored by Henzgen who not only hit with power, but placed the ball strategically. Henzgen’s serve receive also served (no pun intended) as a strong asset to the team. The combination of him and libero Hurlbut seemed to work to the team’s advantage. The two worked well together, and they were passing dimes as a result.

While the first game was filled with many promising plays by Chaminade, their downfall, which led to a score of 25-12 (Harvard Westlake), could be summarized by one word - blocking. Chaminade’s middles, Grant Gomer and Slater Chesser did provide great blocks and touches, but the real problem was our block on Harvard Westlake’s pin hitters. When asked why he thought the game turned out the way it did, Chaminade’s Andy Slavin replied, “ I think we need to work on our blocking, because we don’t always get out to the pins, and we’re not really turning balls back into the court.”

That is exactly the case. We did not see many line shots from Harvard Westlake, but continued to block line, rather than angle.  This resulted in tools and kills for the other team.

Despite the tough loss in the first game, Chaminade seemed to learn from their mistakes. Our blocking improved vastly which accounted for a closer game. Once again, Chaminade was stumped by Harvard-Westlake’s cross-court hits, but retaliated with their strategic hits and tips to the middle of the court. The close game resulted in an immersed, excited crowd, and while the score of the second game was 25-22 Harvard Westlake, the momentum from this game prepared Chaminade for the next.

The third game was Chaminade’s last chance at a win. Although they did suffer quite a loss in the first two games, the boys picked it up in the third for an even more exciting match filled with a better understanding of the court, and of Harvard-Westlake’s tendencies.  The game started off in our favor with the first two points earned similarly with crazy blocks by Chaminade’s Chesser. It seems both Chaminade middles are the go-to guys for blocking. With a strong start, the game began to go back and forth.  Neither team could hold on to the ball for long, and a pattern seemed to emerge. Chaminade would score two points, but Harvard-Westlake would side out right after, resulting in a tight score throughout the whole game. Near the end, the boys began to give up many tips, and Harvard took advantage of that. Once again the score was close, 24-20 Harvard-Westlake, but Chaminade just couldn’t pull out a win.

Overall, it seemed Harvard-Westlake was more of a well-rounded team that was able to identify and take advantage of Chaminade’s weaknesses. As Chaminade Coach Pono Nuuhiwa said, it’s a matter of “working hard, and not giving up on themselves.” The potential is there for Chaminade, but now it is just a matter of execution.

-Sarah Kameli

[chaminadehighschool]

Eagles varsity softball loses to El Camino Real

With so few games against Mission League teams, the Chaminade varsity softball team has been scheduling many games against other schools across the San Fernando Valley. Most recently, after an intense six innings of back and forth game play and one remarkable inning on El Camino’s part, Chaminade suffered a 6-1 loss to the Conquistadors.

The first inning began with a textbook bunt by El Camino’s Madi Gilmore only to be fielded by Chaminade’s pitcher, Spencer Estrada, for the out. Estrada followed up the act with a strike out. The top of the first inning ended as Lucy Yang stole her way to second and Zoe Shaw hit a grounder to first where Chaminade’s Nicole Kuberka tagged the base for the out.

The Chaminade girls began the bottom of the first inning with a bang as Danae Blodgett, a UCLA commit, hit a single past Yang to center field. Amanda Grimes followed up Blodgett’s hit with a sacrifice bunt, moving Blodgett to second base. Rachel Barker hit a single to left field moving Blodgett to third. Barker stole second putting Barker and Blodgett in scoring position, but they were unable to score, ending the inning, 0-0.  

Moving into the second inning, Chaminade put away El Camino in four easy plays; a combination of great fielding by Harrison Ashby, Grimes, and Kuberka and pitching by Estrada. But El Camino maintained the score by shutting down Chaminade with a strikeout and two great plays.

Estrada began the third inning with two strikeouts. Chaminade followed by being the first to put some runs on the board. Grimes scored after Kuberka, batting clean-up, knocked Grimes home to put the Chaminade Eagles in the lead, 1-0.

El Camino kept the score low with two strikeouts courtesy of Emma Jackson in the fifth inning.

Home-field advantage was seemingly prevailing for the Eagles until the sixth inning, when the Conquistadors put themselves on the board as well. Estrada walked Gilmore and an overthrow allowed her to advance to second base. Blodgett made a great catch in center, throwing home to Barker, unable to get a double play, but preventing Gilmore from scoring. Yang’s single to left, got her to first, but more importantly allowed Gilmore to tie the score.

Estrada hit a ground single to left field, however Chaminade was unable to gain a lead in the sixth inning. They moved into the final inning tied with the Conquistadors, 1-1.

Paige Daniels began the seventh inning with a single to second base. Ashby caught the ball in an amazing dive, however Daniels was safe. Estrada walked Marcella Vargas putting players on first and second. Riley Blue followed up with a sacrifice bunt putting Daniels and Vargas in scoring position. Gilmore cleaned up the bases with a triple, bringing Daniels and Vargas home and putting El Camino in the lead, 3-1.

Tara Monaco, pulled up from El Camino’s junior varsity, hit a single to third base bringing Gilmore home. Yang ended the scoring with a home run over the right field fence, adding two more runs to the board.

Chaminade tried at their last at bat, but ended the game with the 6-1 loss.

Keep up with the girls and see where they go next at www.chaminade.org. 

--Sallie DeYoung

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Chaminade Softball vs. El Camino, photos by Sallie DeYoung, Class of 2015

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Chaminade’s season comes to an end against Maranatha

It was a game filled with drama, emotion, and trash talking. Maranatha center Trevor Stanback was going against his former team, and the “cage” wasn’t so welcoming. Early into the game Stanback was receiving chants such as “we don’t miss you”. Chaminade was without its best defensive big man Joel Loth, as he was starring in the school play on Saturday night.  Coach Todd Woflson could have used Loth, as Bar Milo was in foul trouble for a majority of the second half.  Despite the Eagles keeping it close for a majority of the game, the Minutemen won 85-60.  

The Eagles struggled all night from three-point land, where they did a majority of their damage on the offensive end this season. They went 3-19 from three, and scored most of their points on drives by Mike Oguine and Jordan Ogundiran.  

Aidan Dolan started the Eagles’ quick 5-0 run to start the game, and then Tyler Dorsey, the University of Oregon commit awakened. After starting off slow, Dorsey led the Minutemen on a 13-0 run. Stanback got into foul trouble early into the second quarter, and things got worse for the 6’10” rim protector. On a dunk attempt early in the third quarter, Stanback was fouled by the University of Miami football commit Milo. This started a series of little scraps between Milo and the Minutemen players. Stanback was down for quite some time, and did not return until about half way through the fourth.

Despite Dorsey’s continued lights out shooting, the Eagles were able to hang around behind Oguine and Ogundiran. Chaminade cut the Maranatha lead down to four, but Dorsey refused to let up. Stanback’s return gave Maranatha some needed energy and momentum, and the Minutemen rode that momentum until the end of the game, as Dorsey finished a career night with a one-handed slam that made the Maranatha crowd go absolutely wild. As the buzzer rang the Minutemen student section stormed the court.

Dorsey finished with a career high 52 points, on a ridiculous 14-18 from the field, including 7-9 from long range.  

Oguine and Ogundiran combined for 44 points and 19 rebounds. Both of these two guards played their last games in a high school jersey, and received tons of praise on twitter from their fellow classmates after the game, as deserved. Oguine finished with the most points in a season in Chaminade basketball history, and will play at the University of Montana next season.  He finished the season averaging 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals, and will likely receive some awards from the L.A. Times and Daily News after the season.

“I can’t describe how thankful I am to all the people at this school who welcomed me into their Chaminade family two years ago,” Oguine reflected on his career at Chaminade. “I’ve encountered some of the most selfless people I’ve ever been around here at Chamiande and the way they’ve treated me is truly remarkable and it’s something that I’ll never forget. From coaches to teachers to administrators to students, my life has been positively impacted by all sorts of people here. Chaminade will always have a special place in my heart and I wouldn’t have liked to end my high school career anywhere else but here at this school”

After losing eight players from last year’s roster, the Eagles played with toughness and hustle every game to make up for their limited talent. Chaminade finished with a record of 22-11, and will lose six players from this year’s team, including four starters.

Coach Todd Wolfson was definitely proud of this year’s team, as he tweeted this picture after the game:

The boys’ season may be over, but the girls’ team, who happens to be ranked no. 2 in the country, is still alive in the open division state playoffs. They play Tuesday at home against Clovis high school.

---Matt Patterson

[chaminadehighschool]

Chaminade girls top Mater Dei for Open Division title

When the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation face off in a CIF championship game, it is a guarantee the hype for that game will be off the charts. What is not guaranteed though is the game living up to its hype, however the game between the No. 1 Mater Dei Monarchs and the No. 2 Chaminade Eagles was everything it was hoped to be. 

Mater Dei and Chaminade have played once before this season, where Chaminade handed Mater Dei its only loss so far. Leonna Odom, a former Mater Dei player, made a game winning layup for the Eagles. 

Early in the rematch, Coach Kelli Dimuro's Eagles struggled to create any offense, and unfortunately, no matter how good of a defense 6-0 Valerie Higgins and 6-1 Leonna Odom can create, there is just no stopping top-rated recruit Katie Lou Samuelson. The 6-3 UConn commit drained from all over the place in the beginning, scoring 20 of her 33 points in the first half. 

Mater Dei's lead was commanding early on. They lead by as much as 17 about midway through the second quarter, but the Eagles never gave in. It was clear to everyone in the arena that if the talented trio of Higgins, Odom, and point guard Paige Fescke started to make their shots, that Mater Dei lead could vanish quickly. 

At halftime, the Monarchs led, 37-25. 

As the third quarter began, the Eagles offense picked up, but so did Mater Dei's. The second half no longer looked like the one-sided dominance displayed in the first, but like what this game should be: two national powerhouses battling it out.

No matter what Chaminade pulled off on the offensive end, Mater Dei would match it. At one point Fescke lead the Eagles to within seven, but Samuelson scored on two straight possessions to get it right back to 11. It wasn't until a couple of minutes left when Chaminade finally made it close with the Monarchs.

Fescke had been the star for the Eagles all night, but it was in the closing minutes where she took off. It seemed on every possession down the stretch, Fescke was either hitting the bucket or setting up Higgins or Odom for the score. 

With the Eagles down by three, Fescke nailed a corner three to tie it up. The next possession, Mater Dei hit one of two free throws to get a 63-62 lead with just over 20 seconds left in the game. 

Coach DiMuro called a timeout, and prepared the Eagles for their make or break possession of this championship game.

There was not a soul in the gym who did not know that the final shot of the game would be taken by Fescke. The point guard got the ball and sent it to Odom in the corner, Odom gave it to Issy Newman on the wing, and Newman got it to Fescke whose three pointer rimmed out, right into the hands of Chaminade forward Melissa Wright, who kicked it out to Newman. Newman, who had not scored since the first quarter, knocked down a baseline jumper to give the Eagles a 64-63 lead with 3.8 seconds left. 

Mater Dei got the ball to Samuelson for the last shot, however the three Eagle defenders swarming her were too much as she was barely even able to get off a backcourt heave before the final buzzer sounded. 

Coach DiMuro and Chaminade were CIF Open Division champions, giving the Chaminade Girls their third ring in three years, two being CIF rings and one being a state ring from last season. This was their first Open Division championship. 

The Eagles and the Monarchs have a very good chance of meeting again in Open Division state playoffs, and expect another thrilling match. 

Whatever happens in state playoffs for the Eagles, there is no doubt Coach DiMuro has created a dynasty with this basketball team. 

--Alec Neimand.

[chaminadehighschool]

Coach K has Chaminade Girls Basketball reaching new heights

Boys basketball and football have both won state championships over the last two years, and Chaminade High School has gotten a reputation as a powerhouse in both sports. However, what Coach Kelly DiMuro has done with the girls basketball program is nothing short of spectacular, yet has gone somewhat under-the-radar. ‘Coach K’ has won eight Mission League titles, including the last five in a row. She also has a CIF and State championship ring, which was won last year.

With starters Paige Fecske and Valerie Higgins returning from last year’s team, combined with ESPN’s seventh overall player in the 2016 class, Leaonna Odom, transfering in from Mater Dei, Coach K’s team came into the season with higher expectations than ever. And they have delivered.

Chaminade currently stands at 24-3, and its only losses came from St. Ignatius, Alemany, and Long Beach Poly—who they recently beat in the open division semi-finals—all of which are in the top 25 national rankings. 

A large part of their success this season has been Fecske, who is a senior point guard and is playing her third year on varsity.

"Paige has tremendous charisma and always holds her teammates accountable for their actions on the court," Coach K said. "She has been a vocal leader and always leads by example."

Coach K and her point guard have a special connection on the court, as Coach K described, “Paige and I communicate so well. She will look at me and make eye contact almost every time before we set up a play and I trust that her high basketball IQ will help the team. I also listen to Paige’s advice about the defenses we run”. There is nothing more important than the relationship between a coach and her point guard. 

Fecske isn’t the only one making a huge impact on this year’s mission league champs. Higgins and Odom have both been filling up the stat sheet all season. Take a look at these stat lines:

Coach K spoke nothing but highly about her superstar duo of juniors, “They are an unbelievable tandem, where Valerie [Higgins] is the dynamic defender and Leaonna [Odom] brings scoring advantage. They have worked well together and have used their height and quickness to give us victories”.  

Odom will be playing against her former team, for the second time this season. The two top teams in the nation met earlier in the season in the Palisades Beach Invitational championship when Chaminade won a close one 60-59, led by Higgin’s 20 points, 14 rebounds, and seven steals. Mater Dei is yet to lose another game this season, and you can bet they will be coming into this game with a chip on their shoulder. Coach K is confident that her team will match their intensity. She also said “We will bring a sense of urgency and with that brings undeniable pressure from two of the top players in the nation [Higgins and Odom]. We will be ready”.  

This will be Chaminade’s toughest challenge yet, as the Mater Dei Monarchs have looked dominant as of late, including a 59-37 route over the number seven team in the country Alemany Warriors in the semi-finals. The key to beating the Monarchs starts with UCONN commit Kaite Lou Samuel, who is the number one rated player in the 2015 class. Shutting her down is impossible, but containing her will be the goal. ”We have their plays and our advantage is that Leaonna [Odom] can guard her. She knows her game and we can help her on screens” is what Coach K said about her plan to guard Samuel.  

With her second CIF title appearance in the last three years, Coach K is loving every bit of her success. “I love the attention that girls basketball is getting. Winning is always fun, but this team has so much talent, that the pressure to win is more prevalent than the last CIF title”.  

At number two in the country, you can’t get much better than that, and win or lose, there is no doubt that Coach K has built a national powerhouse in girls basketball. 

-Matt Patterson

[chaminadehighschool]

If the NBA season ended today, who would win the MVP award?

Just over 20 games remain for each team in the NBA season. The year’s been filled with surprise after surprise- whether it be the multitude of injuries to key stars, the ascension of previously unsung heroes (here’s to you, Jimmy Butler), and of course, the rise of the Atlanta Hawks from middle of the pack playoff team to legitimate contender. But of course, everyone wants to know what to make of the MVP race. There are plenty of worthy candidates for the award, so who will take home the hardware come May? There’s no short answer, so I’ve decided to file a case for each of my top-5 MVP candidates in order and then pick my own MVP.

5. Anthony Davis. Davis is having an unbelievable season by all standards. Averaging 24.2 points per game, 2.78 blocks per game (which leads the league), and 10.3 rebounds per game, the 23-year-old is finally giving us a glimpse of his potential. Yes, only a glimpse; this kid is a freak. Thanks to his improved mid-range game and added bulk, he is averaging nearly 11 more points than he did in his 2012-13 rookie season, becoming a more complete player in the process. But the statistical argument for Davis centers on his PER (Player Efficiency Rating for the casual fans who may not know), which is a gaudy 31.66. If that were to stand, it would be the fifth-best of all time. Davis has improved immensely since his rookie season. He has always been a freakish athlete, but now he has added the necessary strength and basketball IQ in order to be successful in this league. Davis is now a basketball player and he’ll surely be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. For now though, Davis is not quite ready to hoist the Podoloff Trophy at the end of the season. Unfortunately, I heap the majority of the blame on Monty Williams and the lack of a healthy supporting cast in New Orleans. The award is the Most Valuable Player and not the Best Player. When Davis has been injured (he’s missed 12 games), the Pelicans have been just as pedestrian as when he is on the court. Though 12 games is a small sample size, the Most Valuable Player is the player who contributes most to his team’s success. Since the Pelicans are a borderline playoff team in the loaded Western Conference, regardless of whether or not Davis is on the court, they probably won’t make any noise in the playoffs anyway.

4. LeBron James- “Off year. He’s deferring to Kyrie. He’s struggling to adjust.” LeBron’s heard it all this year, justified or not. Just because he is (let’s face it), not quite the superhuman that he was in Miami does not mean that he is not an MVP candidate. James is having his LOWEST scoring output since his rookie season at 26.3 points per game… That’s absolutely absurd! It seems as though everyone is having a LeBron James hangover; he has been in the MVP conversation for the past eight years and everyone is tired of it. Fewer people recognize LeBron’s greatness because it is oft taken for granted. Despite the fact that LeBron is posting his lowest PER since 2006-07, his impact often defies statistics. Whereas most marquee players in the NBA need systems that cater to them, LeBron fits any system or any team’s style for that matter because he can play all five positions effectively. LeBron has essentially nullified the term “position” altogether because he is a modern day Scottie Pippen-Magic Johnson combination, a very rare breed indeed. He is a point forward that can play in the post, shoot the three, and attack the basket with reckless abandon. LeBron’s style is its own; he is unorthodox, but a tried and true winner who boasts a career winning percentage of .760. Not unlike the 2010-11 Miami Heat, the Cavs struggled out of the gate this season, but appears that just as LeBron is playing his best basketball of the season, so too is his team. Coincidence? No chance. This guy is the motor that makes the Cavs run and without him, I’d be hard-pressed to say the Cavs could contend, even in the lowly East. They have no legitimate rim protector, Kevin Love is solely used as a catch and shoot player, which is a travesty in of itself, and yet still, Cleveland is finally hitting its stride.

3. Stephen Curry. As the best pure shooter in the NBA who is lightning fast and remarkably unselfish, Curry has established himself as a mainstay in the MVP conversation. Worth noting: Curry is an improved defender and he has flourished offensively under Steve Kerr, leading the Warriors to within a half a game of the league’s best record as of March 5. He ranks in the top six in the league in points (fifth) and assists (sixth), while leading the league in steals. What has helped Curry most though in my opinion has been the vastly improved play of his teammates. Now that Klay Thompson is so much more than just a shooter and Draymond Green has come into his own as the most versatile player in the NBA, Curry looks noticeably more comfortable on the court. As opposed to Mark Jackson’s offensive system which was utterly chaotic and in terms of structure was just a step above a pickup game, Curry has benefited from Kerr’s offense which is much more reliant on the pass. Under Jackson, the Warriors ranked 30th in the league in passes per game and now with Kerr at the helm, they rank eighth in that category. Curry is not only getting considerably more open looks from distance, which to him are layups, but also distributing at a high rate as well thanks in no small part to Golden State’s small-ball offense that has allowed the team to spread the floor so effectively. Though Curry’s assists and points totals have slightly decreased, the numbers might be skewed a bit for a number of reasons: 1) the Warriors are outscoring their opponents by an average of 10.1 points per game allowing Curry to play a whole 3.3 less minutes per game than he did last year at a mere total of just 33.2 per game, 2) Curry is taking less shots, yet making them at a more efficient rate, for an improved True Shooting Percentage which accounts for three pointers, total field goals, and free throws. Curry is playing the best basketball of his career now that he has a coach that uses him correctly. His mere 33.2 minutes per game are eerily reminiscent of the same philosophy that Gregg Popovich employs with his own star players in San Antonio… What’s that you say? Another product of the Spurs organization that has altered a franchise elsewhere? Yes, Steve Kerr finished his accomplished playing career with two stints in San Antonio (three years and one year, respectively) and all the while, played for Popovich, surely learning some of the tricks of the trade along the way. Now that Curry is fresh and much more trusting of his teammates and system, he has logged his most efficient season by far, an impressive 27.8 PER (up 3.7 from his previous career high set last season), and he has the Warriors on pace to make a deep run into the playoffs.

 2. Russell Westbrook. It’s impossible to ignore the show that Westbrook has put on in the past few months. He has played like a man among boys; out of his mind and with reckless abandon. And you know what? I love it. What can’t this guy do? I’ll admit, I had my doubts about Westbrook a few years ago— he isn’t exactly the smartest player it never quite seemed as if he had the feel for the game that most stars do today, but he’s certainly impressed me in recent weeks as he’s played some of the best basketball ever in the modern era of the sport. In the absence of Kevin Durant especially, Westbrook has gone berserk and in so doing, shown myself as well as the rest of the basketball world that he is ready to take on the responsibility that comes with being the number 1 option. More than anything, I have been startled by Westbrook’s sudden leap in maturity. As Durant has not even played in half of Oklahoma City’s games, it’s been Westbrook who has been asked to carry the load instead of playing second fiddle which he had grown so accustomed to doing. And he’s done quite well, to say the least as he’s totaled six triple-doubles thus far this season (the next closest player is Michael Carter-Williams who has just 3) including four consecutively from February 24 to March 4. The last player to total four straight triple doubles? None other than His Airness, Michael Jordan. The numbers support Westbrook’s rise too: he’s averaging career highs in each major statistical category save for blocks (27.0 PPG, 8.2 APG, 7.0 RPG, and a PER of 29.8). Westbrook has single-handedly willed the Thunder to wins when he’s played, as Scott Brooks’ simple-minded offense has kept the ball in his hands time and again, much to the chagrin of the since traded Reggie Jackson who felt he was a capable starter, but that’s beside the point. Now that Westbrook has finally been given a chance to dominate the ball, he’s demonstrated what he’s capable of doing. Oddly enough, Kevin Durant’s injury-plagued season has helped Westbrook in the MVP race and could actually help the Thunder if they make the playoffs now that the young point guard is coming into his own. The UCLA product hasn’t been in past MVP discussions because he hasn’t felt the need to be. Now that he has been given his opportunity, he certainly hasn’t missed the boat. Unfortunately, he has missed an uncharacteristic 16 games. As Trent Dilfer always says, “Sometimes your best ability is your availability.” By no means is Westbrook at fault here, but had he been healthy the whole season, we would probably be talking about the Thunder as a 5 or 6 seed instead of a bubble playoff team. What fascinates me most about Westbrook is the reckless abandon with which he plays, but in some instances, this reckless abandon can prove to be his weakness. As far as he has progressed in terms of his maturity, the hot-headed point guard still shows flashes of his past, playing at times, out of control and far too fast. In a fourth quarter setting, would you want to rely on a point guard who is known for forcing the action instead of letting the game come to him? I didn’t think so.

1. James Harden. Yes, the beard. I struggled taking Harden over Westbrook here, but my main thought process was this: Harden has a much more complete body of work than does Westbrook. While Westbrook is on a historic run, Harden has been far more instrumental in his team’s success than his Westbrook. He has played in all but one of Houston’s games this year, all the while posting 26.9 PPG and 7.0 APG. Like Westbrook, Harden has been helped immensely by the absence of Dwight Howard who has played in just 32 of the Rockets’ 61 games. However, in the case of Harden, his team has been winning consistently without Dwight Howard, good enough for a 41-20 record. No wing player in the NBA dominates the ball quite like Harden does as he leads the league in points per game on drives (7.9) as well as team points per game on his drives (14.5). He is the best shot creator in the league, for himself and his teammates alike, capitalizing on the “Mathketball” strategy employed by Houston GM Darryl Morey. He has relied heavily on three pointers and drives, nearly eliminating the mid-range jumper from his game altogether. Harden plays the numbers, and he does it well. This guy is a genius; he knows how to manipulate the game to his liking. He leads the league in free throws attempted and made, much to the chagrin of his opponents, many of whom still view him as a flopper. In terms of his ability to capitalize on offensive possessions, Harden is second to none. While he might be exploiting the system, he’s within the rules and he’s simply doing whatever he can to win. Harden dominates the ball more than any player in the league; this season, he has been possibly the best 1 on 1 player since Kobe Bryant just a few short years ago, and when teams try to negate his scoring ability, he is a very capable and willing passer. In that way, he’s a more athletic Manu Ginobli- very high basketball IQ, very crafty, and a keen eye for detail. Even for the naysayers who believe that Harden’s defense is a liability, he’s improved in that area as well. While he’s not exactly a Bruce Bowen-esque defender, he’s been passable on that side of the floor, rated the 6th best perimeter defender in the league according to Player Tracking by SportVU. Here’s my main argument for Harden as the MVP though: if he were to be taken away from the Rockets, how would they fare? Would they even be a playoff team? It’s hard for me to even picture them in the playoffs out West without Harden running the controls. What he’s done in Houston this season has been nothing short of amazing and if the season were to end today, I firmly believe that James Harden should win the MVP.

-Conner Hoyt

[chaminadehighschool]

Chaminade girls finally take down Long Beach Poly

Third time’s the charm. After losing to Long Beach Poly in the quarterfinals of last year’s Southern Section Open Division playoffs and then dropping a second consecutive game to the Jackrabbits in a preseason tournament this season, the Eagles were eager to exorcise their demons on Friday night in a game that lived up to its billing. Long Beach Poly came in to the matchup sporting an 18-game winning streak, but Chaminade was not intimidated. After jumping out to an early 24-9 lead thanks to a relentless full-court press that would give Poly fits all night long, the Eagles showed that they’re ready for the spotlight. But surely they had to suspect that the high school that has produced the most professional athletes in the nation would go on a run.

And boy, did the Jackrabbits run. Behind the sharpshooting of Da’Jah Jackson, and their increased physicality, they tied the score with just under five minutes remaining at 60-60. As the game became a battle of “whose press is better,” Poly grew increasingly comfortable; it had been there and done that, disposing of the Eagles twice before thanks to lethal defense. But as was the case in previous games against Mater Dei, Sierra Canyon, and Alemany this season for Chaminade, the Eagles were mentally strong down the stretch. They closed the game on a 17-6 run behind their big three of Paige Fescke, Valerie Higgins, and Leonna Odom. With momentum play after momentum play, there were just too many daggers for Poly to overcome.

And now, awaiting Chaminade in the championship game is a Mater Dei team that has not lost since the Nov. 29 matchup between the two that saw Chaminade win 60-59. The Monarchs boast a 27-1 record and the best player in the country in Katie Lou Samuelson. But the Eagles will be ready. Many would argue that Mater Dei has the most talented team in the country, but the Eagles seem to have the best fit. Higgins is a triple double machine, Odom is a big time scorer, and Fescke is a wizard at point guard. Melissa Wright is a sophomore coming into her own and the bench has been very solid all year long. It’ll be No. 1 in the country versus No. 2, and the fans should come out en masse. Chaminade knows there is still a lot to be accomplished, but that doesn’t mean that it still temporarily bask in the glory of its win over a very good Long Beach Poly team. Now, on to next weekend!

--Conner Hoyt

[chaminadehighschool]

Chaminade wins close one against Morningside, advances to semifinals

After two consecutive easy outings for the Eagles in the 4AA CIF playoffs, Coach Wolfson and his players were given all they could handle Tuesday night against the Morningside Monarchs before coming away with a 77-66 victory.

After a rough first quarter, Michael Oguine dominated the second half, making 10 of 11 free throws, and finishing with a game high 28 points.

The game definitely had a playoff atmosphere, as the Monarchs brought a large amount of supporters all the way from Inglewood.  The Cage was also in full effect, and the two were going back and forth the whole game.  

With Morningside having nine players listed at 6-2 and above, Coach Wolfson decided to start two big men for the first time this season with Jake Porath and Joel Loth in order to match the size of the Monarchs.  However, the Eagles still had problems rebounding, especially on the defensive end.  

Porath continued his excellent play, as he started off the game with a three pointer from the top of the key, followed by a block on the other end.  The Monarchs did not score until five minutes into the first.  The Eagles had their own struggles on offense to start the game, until Nick Henzgen came in and made back-to-back three pointers.  Ogundiran closed the quarter with a steal and a layup, as Chaminade led 17-7.

Ogundiran did the same thing to start off the second.  Then, the game became a battle of and-ones.  The two teams combined for five baskets plus the foul in a matter of five minutes.  Henzgen, Michael Wilson, and Oguine all hit threes in the last four and half minutes of the quarter, to put the Eagles up 37-31 at half.  

The second half started just like the first as the Eagles failed to score in the first two minutes, until Oguine made a layup followed by an Aidan Dolan three.  The rest of the game belonged to the dynamic duo that has brought the Eagles this far.  Oguine and Ogundiran dominated the second half, getting to the line and putting heavy pressure on the Monarch's ball-handlers.  The Monarchs got the game within four points with a minute left, but a Wilson offensive rebound followed by an Oguine layup sealed the win.

Oguine may have led the team in scoring, but the MVP of this game could also go to Ogundiran.  Ogundiran put up 2010 Rajon Rondo like numbers with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a whopping seven steals (third most in school history).  Henzgen and Dolan combined for five three pointers.  Porath added in 11 points and five rebounds, and the freshman Wilson scored seven points. 

With Notre Dame losing a heart breaker to Oaks Christian, two Mission League teams are left in the 4AA playoffs, Chaminade and Crespi.  Crespi plays Oaks Christian, and Chaminade will play the two-seed Mission Prep on Friday.  

-Matt Patterson

[chaminadehighschool]

Chaminade cruises past Laguna Beach

When the CIF fields playoff brackets 31 teams deep, it gives a great opportunity for teams who might have struggled in the regular season to  prove themselves and experience the thrill of a playoff game, but it also can cause some major mismatches in the earlier rounds. Chaminade and Laguna Beach saw this Friday night, with Chaminade running away with the second-round game right from the opening tip, 72-53. 

Coach Todd Wolfson used an unconventional starting lineup for the Eagles, perhaps to give some of the younger guys experience. Instead of the usual starting lineup of Ogundiran, Oguine, Cuenca, Dolan, and Porath, Wolfson inserted freshman Mike Wilson, sophomore Sebastian Lopez, and senior Joel Loth to play alongside Aiden Dolan and Jake Porath. 

The young lineup played well together, but two quick fouls to Lopez caused Wolfson to send Oguine and Ogundiran into the game. As the two senior stars came in, offense came instantly. By the end of the first, Ogundiran had 10 of Chaminade's 16 points. 

The Eagles really started to run away with this game in the second quarter . Oguine, a player known for his jumping abilities, got a steal near the top of the key and everyone in the building knew what was coming. He flushed a thunderous dunk which put everyone on their feet. Only a couple possessions later, stretch-four Porath, a player known for his shooting and soft touch inside, threw down a put back dunk that sent the Chaminade Cage into a frenzy. The dunk might have been called off for offensive interference, but the energizing effect two quick jams had on the Eagles sure was not. After that, there was no looking back, as Chaminade dominated every remaining second of the game.

The bright side for the Laguna Beach Breakers? Freshman Blake Burzell. The star freshman lead the team with 21 points, however he would be needing much more help from his surrounding cast for this game to stay competitive. The final score aside, a big playoff game like this in a tough environment for Burzell means that Coach Brett Fleming should be optimistic for at least the next three seasons for Laguna Beach. 

Chaminade will go on to play Morningside at home on Tuesday in the quarterfinals. The winner of that game goes on to play in the semifinals against Mission Prep or fellow Mission League team Harvard-Westlake. 

--Alec Neimand

[chaminadehighschool]

Why pickup basketball matters

Just 3.3% of boys high school basketball players eventually play at the Division Ilevel. Just 1.2% of these Division I players go on to play professionally. So what about the majority of people who do not play in college or professionally? I can’t speak for everybody, but a viable solution for most is to play pickup basketball. Yes, pickup basketball--- competitive, yet meaningless, unnecessarily heated, yet just as fun as an organized game.

Why pickup basketball? Obviously there are many avenues of entertainment for us non-athletes, so what makes basketball on a playground so special? Unlike AAU, high school ball, or even basketball at the college level, pickup basketball is free of influence from adults who solely wish to reap the benefits of star players (whether that be taking credit for making that player who he is, using the player for his financial standing should he go pro, or the like). Pickup basketball is far from the controlled world that leagues and organized sports create. It is often chaotic, free of rules, and not surprisingly, very much  reflective of the ABA that was beloved before its counterparts of the NBA bought it out. Pickup basketball is just as much about breaking your defender’s ankles or dropping a dime as it is about winning a game. It emphasizes the flashy play over the simple one, the fade-away jumper over the basic layup.

Pardon me if I sound like a 75-year-old reliving his high school glory days, but in pickup basketball, your identity is fluid. Throw on your favorite player’s jersey or shoes and all of a sudden, you’re him--- you better live up to the name or else you will not get the ball. Hit a step back jumper and you’ll hear “ooohhs” and “aahhss,” and if you’re in the Los Angeles area, most likely a “KOOOBEEE!” You get a nickname for how you play and what you do on the court, whether you like it or not. If you really have the courage to flop in a pickup game, you’re Ginobili. You throw a great pass--- J-WILL! Rebounding machine…? Up for grabs here—many contemporary fans might prefer DeAndre Jordan or Shaq here, I’d go with Bill Russell.

Pickup basketball is a rebellion. It’s for all the people in protest of the system, all those who still seek the fun in basketball and not the X’s and O’s. It consists of everything that makes basketball the most well-orchestrated team sport in America; it is universal, defying the barriers of language or ethnic differences. Everyone can understand basketball and its nuances regardless of where they hail from so long as they put enough effort into understanding the game. The banter and trash talk, the point of a finger after a great pass, the showboating after a great move, or even just a high five--- any person can understand these relatively quickly.

Pickup basketball has been making and continues to make an undeniable cultural impact. Basketball fanatics have long wished to see games at storied Rucker Park, the Los Angeles Drew League, and other famed venues. In Pro-Am competitions (professional-amateur), the art form that is basketball is very evident. To the chagrin of basketball purists, but to the delight of progressive thinkers, plays like these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYxjFhCaj2s garner significantly more attention than these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58dPzFDr0jg. For better or for worse, basketball is changing, all thanks to the pickup culture. Scouts notice the highlight reel dunk over the perfect screen or the fundamentally sound bounce pass. Pickup basketball is very much reminiscent of the Beatles and the imprint that they left in the United States. The game that we know and love is evolving and while such a style might be better suited for the playgrounds than basketball at higher levels, there’s no questioning that pickup basketball and the influence that it brings along with it are here to stay.

--Conner Hoyt

[chaminadehighschool]

The Chaminade Eagles almost defeat the Alemany Warriors

Last Thursday was the final Chaminade boys’ soccer game of the 2014-2015 season. The evening started off with the presentation of the teams’ five seniors which was accompanied by funny and heartfelt speeches by the teams’ underclassmen.

The first half started off a little slow with both teams giving each other plenty of space to pass the ball and make plays. But as the game went on, Chaminade put more and more pressure on Alemany’s defense. By half way through the first half, both teams were fighting hard to keep from being scored on. Although the normal starters were not in, the seniors who started did a great job of taking accurate shots on goal and putting pressure on Alemany’s defense. Chaminade's greatest counterattack was their ability to always be on offense rather than defense.

Although this match was very physical, the Eagles did not allow this to rile them up. They kept their cool and avoided any major incidents in the first half of the match.

Junior Ray Gill used his speed and skill to send great crosses to the center strikers. And finally with seventeen minutes left in the first half the Eagles saw its first goal of the match. After a foul by Alemany, Chaminade got a free kick and senior captain Stephen Matosian headed the ball into the net with ease and accuracy. The Eagles were up 1-0 with 17 minutes left in the first half.

The contact between the players increased, but the Eagles were determined to score another goal. And again they delivered with another header by senior Chidi Nwajei with less than two minutes left in the first half. Going into half time, Chaminade was up 2-0, but there is still a whole other half to play.

In the second half, Alemany was taking more accurate shots but were effectively defended by Chaminade’s solid defense line. The pressure of Alemany’s offense was increasing, but the Eagles were keeping the Warriors at bay.

Chaminade’s starting goal keeper, Angus Bent, was out with an achilles injury and therefore the team suffered a slight communication issue later in the match.

Later in the second half, Alemany had a free kick from 30 yards away and managed to score due to Chaminade’s goal keeper over jumping the ball and not communicating with the defenders. But Chaminade was still up 2-1 with 16 minutes left in the half.

This goal fired Alemany up as well as Chaminade. The two teams battled bitterly in hopes of scoring another goal. As the game came to a close, the Warriors scored another goal with four minutes left in the second half. The final score was 2-2 and the Eagles finished their season off with a draw.

After the game, Nwajei explained why the Eagles could not pull off the win. “We just lost focus in the second half and we can’t do that when we’re up 2-0 which is the hardest score to keep,” he said. But he did mention how happy he was with the “good chemistry” the team had throughout the season.

Looking forward to next season, Gill explained how he “feels really good about next year because we have a lot of really talented young players and after this year we have the experience to really have an impact in the Chaminade boys’ soccer program.”

-Yewande Ilawole ('16)

[chaminadehighschool]

Photos of Chaminade Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Alemany (Final Score 2-2).  Photos by Kaite Petrie ('15)

[chaminadehighschool]

Eagles outplayed by Alemany on Senior Night

It was Senior Night for the Chaminade Eagles and the six seniors were honored and acknowledged alongside their families and friends. Todd Wolfson, coach of the Eagles, was really looking for his seniors,“to go out there on the right foot and leave their mark on Chaminade basketball". The Cage was small, but mighty and the Eagles seemed focused.  

The Chaminade varsity basketball team has had a season that has been anything but consistent, with a slew of injuries from different players each week. Their last regular season game was against the fiercely competitive Alemany Warriors, who beat the Eagles by 25 in their previous matchup. For the first time in the league season, Chaminade's entire team was dressed and ready to play. While the Eagles were expecting tough competition from the Warriors, they hoped that having a full roster would make them a more formidable opponent.

When Michael Oguine, star guard of the Eagles was asked about the game, he said, "This should be a tough one. They got us pretty bad in the first game, but we went over a lot of things and we finally have a full squad. We just want to come out on this senior night and play hard."

And while the Eagles seemed to play hard, the Alemany Warriors athleticism, height, and their consistent outside shooting, in the end defeated the Chaminade Eagles.  

The game started off with a Cage chant of "I believe that we will win" and the Eagles certainly seemed to have that mentality.  The tipoff was won by Alemany, and the Warriors were off, scoring three easy layups before the Eagles could get one basket.  Guard Jordan Ogundiran started off strong with three three-pointers in the first quarter, but Shacquille Dawkins of the Warriors answered with three three-pointers of his own. The quarter ended with Alemany up by six. While Alemany looked smooth and controlled, the Eagles appeared a little bit disorganized and this theme continued for the rest of the game, ending with another double-digit loss.

The Eagles seemed unable to penetrate the paint, and when Ogundiran or Oguine would try to scramble their way through, they were met with serious opposition from Alemany big men 6-8 Daron Henson and 6-7 Kevin Summers, who scored 27 points combined. Ogundiran was the only Chaminade player to end the night with double digits, 21 points in all. Oguine was shut out all night by the Alemany defense, only managing to score seven points. The Warriors' point guard, Shacquille Dawkins ended the night with 16 points, 12 of those being in the first half. In the second quarter, the Eagles were held scoreless for five minutes, finally scoring from the free-throw line with under three minutes left in the half.  The first half ended with Alemany leading, 33-21.  

As the second half began, Chaminade came out with a bit more intensitym cutting the lead to eight. However, the Warriors responded quickly with a dunk by Kevin Summers. The War Zone was hyped and that play seemed to ignite a fire in the Warriors that lasted for the rest of the game.  Afterwards the Warriors cruised to an easy 71-52 victory with solid second-half play from freshman DJ McDonald.  

Throughout the game, Chaminade was anxious and seemed hurried.  Their play was quick but not poised, and the Eagles seemed to be harassed by Alemany's intense defense. The Warriors athleticism and length lead to dangerous passes and numerous turnovers which seemed to leave the Eagles frustrated and it showed on their faces. The Eagles fell short to this year's Mission League Champions.  

 --London Pace

[chaminadehighschool]

Chaminade Eagles speed past the Crespi Carmelites

At 5 p.m. on Wednesday evening, the sun is setting at Chaminade High, but the Chaminade boys’ soccer team is waiting for the starting whistle. The boys' soccer team has experienced some instability regarding being on probation this year, but on Feb. 4, all of this seemed to fade to the background.

Tensions were high as the game began due to two of Crespi’s starters being former Chaminade students. Once the game begins the two teams’ battle from the beginning to the end. From the stands one can hear Chaminade goalkeeper and captain Angus Bent directing defenders. As the first half goes on, Chaminade takes several shots on goal that are stopped by either defenders or the goalkeeper. But while Crespi’s passing and defensive press weaken towards the end of the first half, Chaminade’s passing gets sharper and they force the offensive Crespi players to make quick decisions. And with the vision of Chaminade’s defenders and the speed of Chaminade’s forwards a goal comes from sophomore striker Cade Pendergast in the twelfth minute. This goal leads to an energy burst by both sides which in turn bring more accurate shots on goal.

Forward Ray Gill uses his speed to outrun defenders and place accurate crosses for the center forwards and attacking midfielders. Going into halftime the score is 1-0 Chaminade, but the game is far from over.

In the second half Crespi comes out with a renewed fire, and it takes a few minutes for Chaminade to meet that intensity. Up until this point, Chaminade's defensive line had been solid with players Owen McEvoy, Ian Parkinson, and captain Stephen Matosian, but when Matosian has to step off the pitch for a back-related injury, sophomore Cooper Crane fills the void. Although Crespi is fighting Chaminade’s intensity with their own, Eagles senior Tanner Pacheco receives a great cross and uses his quickness to score with eight minutes remaining, giving Chaminade a 2-0 lead.

As the game goes on, Crespi's frustration mounts as they receive two yellow cards, one for jersey pulling and one for throwing the ball at the referee. But Chaminade is forced to remain without any red cards for the term of their probation. As the second half progresses, Crespi gets more and more aggressive and this eventually leads to an on-field confrontation between a Chaminade player and a Crespi player. But junior forward Ray Gill is able to settle the Chaminade player down in order to prevent Chaminade’s program from being suspended.

After the game, Bent was excited because he claimed “up until this point, we really have been missing the finishing touch in the second half, but the goal in the second half by Tanner proved that we are a playoff worthy team.”

This idea was also expressed by senior captain Matosian when he said that their “hard work in the second half was a game changer.”

--Yewande Ilawole