The first half of the Bay League season concluded early this week and the boys and girls basketball and soccer teams are scrambling for berths in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The four teams meet each other Tuesday in what will be vital games in the postseason race.
Boys Basketball
Leuzinger (16-5, 5-0) went undefeated in the first half of the Bay League season, defeating host Redondo 62-53 Tuesday. Redondo’s Derek Biale recorded a game-high 26 points, including six 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough for the Sea Hawks who begin the second half with road games against Peninsula Friday and rival Mira Costa next Tuesday.
West (15-6, 4-1) is in second place followed by Peninsula (14-6, 3-2), Mira Costa (15-6, 2-3), Redondo (9-11, 1-4) and Palos Verdes (6-15, 0-5).
Mira Costa remained in the playoff race with a 50-40 home victory over Palos Verdes Tuesday. Justin Strings recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds, Cole Feaster added 13 points and four assists and Max Watson contributed eight points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs who have been playing without team captain Cooper Pugnale who is nursing a broken hand. Pugnale hopes to return to the lineup in a week.
The Mustangs play at West Friday before their showdown with Redondo. All league games are scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
The strength of the Bay League has not gone unnoticed as all six teams are ranked in the CIF Southern Section polls. Redondo is ranked No. 14 in Division 2AA while In Division 2A, Leuzinger is ranked No. 5; Peninsula holds the No. 12 spot just ahead of Mira Costa at No. 13.
West is ranked No. 7 in Division 3AAA and even without a league win; Palos Verdes is ranked No. 15 in Division 3AA.
Girls Basketball
West (18-4, 5-0) had an unblemished record in the first round of Bay League competition after defeating Peninsula 43-30 Tuesday.
Redondo (11-10, 3-2) is in a second-place logjam with Palos Verdes (11-8, 3-2) and Peninsula (13-9, 3-2). The Sea Hawks ran all over Leuzinger (0-5) 53-16 Tuesday behind 12-points performances by Bella Hall and Annie Park. Inara Nyingifa added 10 points for Redondo who travels to Peninsula Friday.
On Saturday, Redondo will host Bishop Montgomery (No. 8 in Div. 4AA) in a 6 p.m. non-league contest before visiting rival Mira Costa on Tuesday. The Sea Hawks are ranked No. 5 in Division 2AA.
Mira Costa (10-12, 1-4) fell to visiting Palos Verdes 51-44 Tuesday to conclude its first half of league competition. Ashley Reese led the Mustangs with 13 points.
Mira Costa opens the second half with a tough road game at West (No. 13 in Div. 3AAA) before facing Redondo.
Peninsula is ranked No. 5 in Division 2A while Palos Verdes holds the No. 8 spot in Division 3AA.
Boys Soccer
Mira Costa gave league-leading Palos Verdes all it could handle Tuesday dropping a 3-2 contest in overtime to the third-ranked team in Division 1.
The victory capped off an unbeaten first half of the league season for Palos Verdes. Grant Southwood and Jess Chamberlain scored goals for Mira Costa (7-7-6, 1-3-1) who travels to West Friday for a 3 p.m. game before hosting Redondo in a 6 p.m. contest Tuesday.
Redondo (12-5-3, 2-3) was shutout by second-place Leuzinger 5-0 to conclude its first round of action. The Sea Hawks will attempt to stay in the playoff race when they travel to Peninsula Friday and Mira Costa Tuesday.
Girls Soccer
Mira Costa lost only its second game this season Tuesday, falling to Palos Verdes 3-2 in the final match of the first round of league competition.
The Mustangs (17-2, 4-1) are the only Bay League team ranked in the CIF Southern Section polls, holding the No. 4 spot in Division 2. The loss on Tuesday dropped Coach Patty Perkinson’s squad into a first-place tie with Peninsula.
Mira Costa hosts West (2-3) Friday and will travel to rival Redondo (3-2) in a pivotal Bay League contest Tuesday.
The Sea Hawks defeated Leuzinger 5-1 Tuesday behind two-goal performances by Sierra Kaufman and Kristina Williamson. Diana Luna added a goal for Redondo will hosts Peninsula Friday.
