Boys Basketball
The 77th season opened this past week with the Breakers competing in the 7th Annual La Quinta Shootout in Westminster/Garden Grove. Breakers started the week with a very tough 65-35 loss to San Clemente in a contest played Monday night at Rancho Alamitos High School.
Laguna started sharp, taking a 7-1 lead on baskets by Jake Dalke, Cole Kesler, and Tyler Masukawa. The seasoned Tritons, however, got hot with their shots, out-scoring Laguna 13-0 to finish the quarter. Laguna’s cold shooting never recovered as the team could never get closer than 10 after the intermission. Dalke led the team in scoring with 12 points including a perfect four for four from the line. Masukawa added seven points, Kesler six.
The meeting with San Clemente was the 50th all-time with the Tritons since the school relocated from San Juan Capistrano in 1964. Breakers now trail the “modern” series 33-17 but hold a 62-47 advantage counting the old San Juan Capistrano totals.
On this past Tuesday, Laguna faced Ranch Alamitos in the first of three tournament consolation games that will conclude tomorrow. The home opener is this coming Wednesday at 7 p.m. when Laguna hosts Dana Hills.
Coach Bret Fleming is entering his 16th season at the helm, longest tenure in Laguna history with a 219-178 overall record. Conference play opens in January with Laguna looking for their fifth straight league crown. 2011 Roster: # 21 Luke Barker (Jr), #15 Jake Dalke (So), #32 Cole Kesler (So), #23 Tyler Kesler (Sr), #11 Brandon Lewis (Jr), # 22 Paul MacCabe (So), #4 Tyler Masukawa (Jr), #20 Jack Pillsbury (Jr), #25 Derek Reigel (Jr), # 2 Remington Zona (Jr).
Girls Basketball
Led by veteran players Emily Writer and Samantha Garner, Breakers opened the season this week in the Corona del Mar tournament with the home opener set for this Tuesday, at 6 p.m. at Dugger Gym against Fullerton. Writer is starting her fourth year for Laguna and should smash Liz Stahl’s (1986-89) career scoring record this season. She already holds the season and game scoring records, twice scoring more than 50 points in a game.
Boys Soccer
Varsity boys under new head coach Daniel Richards played well against Beckman last Friday in their scrimmage match, looking stronger than the visiting Patriots. The 35th season opened this past Wednesday at Sage Hill and Laguna travels today (Friday) to San Juan Hills. The 2011 season will be very competitive with the CIF Division’s pre-season No. 1 team, Saddleback, joining the league this year. Richards, originally from England, holds coaching certificates from the U.K. and here. This is his fourth season working with the program but his first as the head coach.
Girls Soccer
Bill Rolfing returns for his seventh season coaching the girls. The team’s first match was scheduled for this past Thursday at San Juan Hills. Breakers are in the Ocean View tournament this weekend and don’t play at home until Dec. 20. More on the girls program next week.
Girls Water Polo
The talented girls polo squad open their season next week with a match on Tuesday at Mater Dei (rankled # 5 D-II). The home opener is Wednesday when the Breakers host SS CIF D-I # 8, Edison. Laguna returns some talented seniors led by keeper Etiann Manetta, defender Jessica Shusko, attackers Jessie Holecheck, Riley Duncan, and Lida DeGroote. Also key to the squads success will be Yoshi Anderson (Jr) and Melina Masson (Jr). Breakers are in Division I and face a grueling non-league and tournament schedule. Pre-Season CIF Poll Division I:
1 – Dos Pueblos, 2 – Los Alamitos, 3- Corona del Mar, 4 – Newport Harbor, 5 – Santa Barbara, 6 – Laguna Beach, 7 – Foothill, 8 – Edison, 9 – Palos Verdes, 10 – Fountain Valley.
