Prep teams begin quests for Bay League titles
Inara Nyingifa and the Redondo Sea Hawks open league action with a home game against Peninsula on Tuesday. Photo
After returning from winter break, local high school teams will use the first week of the 2012 in final preparation for runs toward league championships.
While the soccer teams from Mira Costa and Redondo were mostly idle, the boys and girls basketball teams kept tuned with tournament competition.
In her first-year as head coach of Mira Costa’s girls basketball team, Miranda Biteler hopes what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. Her young Mustang squad went 4-1 in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic behind the strong play of freshman Meghan Peneuta, sophomore Camille Mills, junior Rachel Humphrey and senior captains Mackenzie Austin and Jessica Tondo.
Playing in the “Blitzen” Division, Mira Costa defeated University (Irvine) 44-38, Moapa Valley (Overton, NV) and Carson (Carson City, NV). The Mustangs suffered their only loss to eventual champion Centennial (Las Vegas, NV) 76-45. Mira Costa advanced to defeat “Comet” Division opponent Coronado (Henderson, NV) 45-30.
The Mustangs (9-7) continued their winning ways Tuesday with a 43-28 road win at North Torrance. Shaylyn Austin and Ashley Reese scored eight points apiece and Keilani Ikehara added six points for Mira Costa
The Mustangs continue non-league play at Bishop Montgomery Thursday at 7 p.m. The Knights are ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division 4AA while the Mustangs are listed at No. 14 in Division 2A.
Senior co-captain Jessica Tondo leads Mira Costa into stiff Bay League competition. Photo
Mira Costa begins league action Tuesday hosting West at 6 p.m. The Mustangs travel to rival Redondo on Friday, Jan. 13 for a 6 p.m. contest.
Redondo’s girls team is ranked No. 6 in Division 2AA and hosts Bishop Amat Saturday at 6 p.m. before making a run for the Bay League crown beginning with a home game against Peninsula Tuesday at 6 p.m.
The Sea Hawks spent their second week of winter break competing in the Orange County Championships.
After defeating Warren 63-61 in overtime, Redondo lost to St. Anthony 53-42 despite Inara Nyingifa’s 15-point performance.
The Sea Hawks then lost a heartbreaker to Hanford 52-20. Annie Park recorded 18 points and five steals, Bella Hall had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Nyingifa added 10 points for Redondo.
Boys Basketball
In a final tune up before league play, Mira Costa hosts Marywood-Palm Valley Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Mustangs begin their run for a Bay League championship Tuesday hosting Peninsula at 7:30 p.m.
Coach Jeff Amaral’s team will travel to face rival Redondo Friday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Karl Acres and the Mira Costa Mustangs finished fifth in the Palm Springs Tournament. Photo
Mira Costa placed fifth in the Palms Springs Tournament defeating Cochran 69-62 behind Justin Strings’ 16 points and 10 rebounds. Enzo Kajiya came off the bench to add 10 points. Cooper Pugnale was selected to the all-tournament team for the Mustangs.
Redondo, ranked No. 13 in Division 2AA, hosts North Torrance Friday at 7:30 p.m. before starting league play against visiting Peninsula (No. 9, Div. 2A) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Redondo hosted the Sea Hawk Beach Classic during the winter break, defeating West Ranch 58-48 in the seventh-place game. Brian Frew scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Derek Biale recorded 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win.
The Sea Hawks opened the tournament with a 67-58 win over San Bernardino when Biale scored 22 points and Frew added 17.
Coach Tom Maier’s Redondo squad then lost a pair of games to highly-ranked teams, falling to Crespi 63-58 and Narbonne 49-41.
Darrien Touchstone and the Redondo Sea Hawks have face stiff competition heading into Bay league action. Photo
Girls Soccer
Coach Patty Perkinson’s Mira Costa squad plays at El Segundo Thursday before opening Bay League competition Tuesday at West. The Mustangs host rival Redondo Friday, Jan. 13. All games are slated to start at 3 p.m.
Redondo opens its league season at 3 p.m. Tuesday with a tough road game at Peninsula. The Panthers are ranked No. 7 in Division 2.
Coach Shelly Marsden’s Sea Hawks will compete in the San Pedro Lady Pirate Cup on Friday and Saturday. The championship game of the tournament is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Boys Soccer
Teams begin their quest for a Bay League title on Tuesday when Mira Costa hosts West (No. 4, Div. 1) and Redondo hosts Peninsula.
Mira Costa hosts Redondo Friday, Jan. 13 in the first of two rivalry games. All league games are slated for 3 p.m. starts.