FALL SPORTS UPDATE
CROSS COUNTRY – Girls 7th At CIF – Off to State!
Laguna ran a solid race last Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College to finish seventh in the D-4 finals and earned a bid to the State Meet this Saturday, Nov. 25, at Woodward Park in Fresno. Sydney Sydney was the Breakers’ top runner with an 18:02.0 time for the 3-mile run good for 25th in the field of 62 athletes. Also scoring for Laguna were Hayden Joseph, Anoua Carrie, Kiara Flores and Karina Pitz. Out of the 80 teams spread out over five divisions, Laguna was 40th overall. CIF Cross Country divisions are based on enrollment.
Coach Steve Lalim is in his 16th season with the Breakers, taking his team to the finals to all 15 Southern Section meets held over that period (no meet in 2020). The Breakers have now qualified for their 15th State Meet the eighth under Coach Lalim. The Best State finish for Laguna (all at D-4) was second in 2013 and third in 1992.
For more information, visit the girls’ website at www.lbxc.org and the boys’ at www.lagunabeachcrosscountry.com.
FOOTBALL (9-2)
The Breaker opponents Charter Oak (D-8) and El Dorado (D-7) are in the CIF finals this weekend, and the results may have a possible effect on the league placement for the Breakers in 2024, which will be solely on the CalPreps computer rankings – weighted 65% on 2023 and 35% on 2022 seasons. Under this system, 69 Orange County schools will be shuffled into new leagues.
WINTER SPORTS UPDATE
BOYS BASKETBALL (4-1)
As reported last week, the 90th season opened on Nov. 13 at the Jim Harris/Ocean View Tournament, where Laguna defeated Mayfair 61-52 behind 27 points by Dylan McEachern and 19 from Jack Halvorson. In the Quarterfinals on Nov. 15, Laguna ran past Tesoro 70-45, with McEachern scoring 28 and Henderson 25 points.
In the semifinals on Nov. 16, the squad was no match to Mira Costa, a top 20 LA Times team losing 68-46. In the third place contest on Saturday, Laguna defeated Verdugo Hills from LACIF 57-50. Jack Halvorson scored 23 points against the Dons.
Tournament Top 10 Places: 1 – Los Alamitos, 2 – Mira Costa, 3 – Laguna Beach, 4 – Verdugo Hills, 5 – Trabuco Hills, 6 – Tesoro, 7 – Portola, 8 – Ocean View, 9 – Mayfair, 10 – Murrieta Valley.
Breakers played three games during the holiday break with ABGU/Canoga Park on Nov. 21 in a Feast Week Showcase game at Marina High School. Dylan McEachern scored 23 to lead Laguna against the Titans.
Up next: A non-league contest with University on Nov. 22, and on Friday, Nov. 24, they faced Laguna Hills in another showcase-style game at Edison High School. Next week, the Breakers are in the Portola-Woodbridge Tournament at Portola High School. The scheduled games are Nov. 27 – San Juan Hills, Nov. 29 – Portola, Nov. 30 – San Clemente, Dec. 2 – Tesoro. Laguna is a talented team that will be a factor in the Sunset Wave League race. Leaders after Four games – Scoring – Jack Halvorson, Rebounds – Sam Burchi, Steals – Jack Halvorson.
GIRLS BASKETBALL (1-1)
The Breakers lost 58-23 at Woodbridge on Nov. 20 and play Rosemead on Saturday, Nov. 25, 12:30 p.m. in Dugger Gym. Breakers are at Trabuco Hills on Nov. 30 and are in the Orangewood Tournament beginning Dec. 4.
BOYS SOCCER
Andy Thomas returns for his 13th season with Laguna (112-117-26) – no report on the opening match on Nov. 17 at Northwood. The squad is off until Nov. 28 at Los Amigos. The first home match is Friday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. with St Margaret’s at Guyer Field.
GIRLS SOCCER
New coach Max Woodruff takes the helm for the program’s 42nd season at Laguna. Coach Woodruff attended college in England and, earned a bachelors in business management. He also holds a masters degree in sport leadership from the University of South Wales. The season opens on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Beckman.
GIRLS WATER POLO
The 27th season of the sport at Laguna got underway this past week with the second annual alumni game on Nov. 22. The regular season opens with San Clemente on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Laguna Community Pool in one of two actual games played in Laguna. Due to the undersize local pool, the only other game scheduled at home is a non-league match with Huntington on Dec. 14.
Have a note or question about Laguna sports? E-mail Frank at [email protected]. Looking for the 2023-24 High School schedules and scores? Check Laguna Beach High School on the Max Preps website.
