Nado Natterings
A weekly column by David Axelson

Nado Natterings
by David Axelson, Chief Executive Officer
The Islander Sports Foundation

5 Dec 2007 Issue #47

Ken Caesar and the Coronado High School Boys Basketball Team launched their regular season over the weekend in the Hilltop Tournament. They lost to host Hilltop High School by 15 points on Friday night and then faced Helix High School in their second contest Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 21-10 at the end of the first quarter, Coronado looked like they were on their way to a blowout loss, especially when Helix proceeded to score the first six points of the second quarter to take a 27-10 lead. Then the Islanders went on a 6-0 run of their own with a jumper by Josh Williams; free throws by Krishna Samperio and Matt Fowler; a jumper by Samperio on an assist from Dallas Taylor; and a nice offensive rebound and follow shot by Blake Malkemus.

The teams essentially traded baskets for the balance of the first half, with the Highlanders holding a 33-22 advantage at the break.

Then things got interesting. Caesar had his team switch to a 2-3 zone from their man-to-man defensive coverage and Helix had trouble hitting from the outside. For their part, the Islanders continued their aggressive play on both ends of the floor. Cole McLean hit a jumper to start the Islanders scoring in the second half. Taylor hit a three-pointer on an assist from Fowler and Justin Parsons hit a layup on a McLean assist. At the end of the third quarter, Coronado had outscored Helix 19-12 and narrowed the score to 45-41.

Helix pushed their lead back up to 55-45 with 2:40 left in the game, but Coronado came roaring back on two layups from Parsons, two three-pointers from Taylor, and a three from Fowler. Coronado had to foul to get the ball back, and Helix for their part made four consecutive free throws in the final 16 seconds to barely hold on to their 59-58 victory.

Caesar has a season-long plan in mind for his squad. “The good thing about this is that I want them (Coronado) to play this other game. These are big schools and I want the team to feel what the speed is like. We’re in this tournament so that we can feel this now. We’ve seen Helix and we’re really going to see something serious Tuesday night when we play Rancho Buena Vista. It’s a big school (the largest in San Diego County) and they have big bodies. Their big guys set screen and rolls and post up. They are constantly working and constantly moving. I’m glad we get a chance to go out and see it.”

Both Helix and Hilltop reside in CIF Division I, with enrollments two and one-half the size of Coronado’s, while RBV has an enrollment of 3,267 compared to Coronado’s population of 1,096.

Taking the two game package as a whole, Caesar praised three of his starters for their efforts. “Matt Fowler fouled out in the first game, but played pretty well. Dallas Taylor played well in both games for us and Justin Parsons played well.”

Your first opportunity to see the Islanders at home will be Thursday, Dec. 13 when Coronado hosts the Christian Life Academy in a 5 pm game.

CHS Girls Basketball Splits Their Two Games Last Week

Coaches tend to have long memories and CHS Girls Basketball Head Coach Toler Goodwin is no exception. A year ago the Islanders lost a game to La Jolla, but the team didn’t play well and the loss was one that lingered with the veteran coach.

“We lost by 13 or 14 last year and I was anticipating a better effort this year,” Goodwin said. “Everybody we have on this year’s team was in the game last year. This year we understood what they were trying to do offensively and we just took it away.”

The result was a convincing 49-29 victory over the Vikings, led by Tiffany Depfer’s 16 points, with another 13 points thrown in by Bria Phillips, plus seven points and 11 rebounds from Arrielle Luna.

Saturday evening in the final game of the Coronado Thanksgiving Tournament, the Islanders fell to a fine Ramona club by the score of 55-36. The Islanders were without Phillips, who was out of town and most of the rest of the Coronado contingent was banged up physically.

“We had a really good effort,” said Goodwin of his team’s tangle with Ramona. “The kids played a strong, physical game and a smart game. We just didn’t make as many shots as they did. We were down by 10 at the half and we pulled it to within four points in the third quarter. I just thought we competed every possession. Angela Strohbeck, Arrielle and Emily Bell all started and gave us our best matchup against them. They made a couple of threes and that turned things around for Ramona in the third quarter. For our part, we were being aggressive and attacking the basket.”

The game was closer than the final score would indicate, and Ramona was a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line in the final quarter.

This week the Islanders travel to Division I Torrey Pines (enrollment 2,875 but who’s counting) Tuesday for a 7 pm game. Starting Wednesday and continuing through Saturday is the Coronado JV Tournament, with the Islanders playing Wednesday and Friday at 6:20 pm and Saturday at 2 pm.

Girls Water Polo Loaded for CIF Title Run

Whether you look at the 2007-08 edition of the Islander Girls Water Polo Team by position or by grade level, there is talent in abundance. According to Head Coach Dave Throop, “Talent-wise and by experience, this is the best team I have had.”

We could let it go at that, but in the interest of highlighting several of the deserving players, we’ll carry on. The team features six seniors including center forward Sabrina Anonas, center back Carly Hoshko, driver Hannah Sebenaler, center back Lenea Smith, driver Allie Rodgers and driver Alana Burgess. “She is our playmaker,” said Throop of Burgess. “She has to touch the ball on every offensive sequence.”

Alex Adamson, the team’s goalie is a junior, and spent much of the summer as a member of an age group U.S. National Team, and according to Throop, “is arguably one of the best goalies in the country right now.” Other major contributors from the junior class include center back Kathryn Bailey, center Michelle Carroll and driver Laura Luttrell.

Ashley Young, who is returning from surgery to repair tears in five various and assorted ligaments and cartilage areas in her knee, is a leader of a strong sophomore contingent. “She has come back from her injuries tenfold,” Throop said. “She is very tenacious offensively and defensively and she is a great kid. We’re going to have to rely o her. She is the most complete and aggressive sophomore we have ever had on the girls side.”

The strong sophomore class includes center back Hillary Estrada, and driver Kelly Ronimus. Throop elaborated on the speed exhibited by Ronimus in a recent swimming challenge. “Kelly is our fastest girl in the pool. She swam a 56-second 100 from a push start, which is four seconds faster than anyone on the team.”

Other girls who figure to contribute to the team include driver Hillary Hansen, backup goalie Colleen Moore, defender Sidney Hoshko, defender Maddie Murphy, and freshman driver Hannah Green. In addition, a total of 15 freshmen girls have entered the water polo program this season.

The 2007 portion of the regular season begins with an explosion of games, starting with a 6:15 pm game Friday against Long Beach Wilson at the Long Beach Belmont Plaza Pool. The event is part of a celebration of women’s water polo and is called the Holiday Cup. The contest immediately following the Coronado game will feature the National Teams from the United States and Australia at 8 pm.

Saturday morning at 11 am the Islanders will host perennial power Newport Harbor at the Coronado Community Center Pool on the front end of what amounts to a day-night doubleheader. That same evening at 7 pm the Islanders host University City.

Girls Soccer Team Features Talent Aplenty

Mirroring their water polo counterparts, the CHS Girls Soccer Team has all of the elements that a coach likes to see on his team, including talented and experienced upperclassmen, four precocious freshmen and plenty of freshmen depth on the junior varsity level. There is a load of playing talent on hand with more on the way.

Leading Coach Kiko Medina’s squad are the seniors who include forward Colleen Burns, defender Kallie Caldwell, midfielder Katie Ferrar, defender Rosie Harris, forward Leah Hatheway, midfielder Emily Kopp, midfielder Becka Runyon, and defender Courtney Ryan.

A highly regarded junior class is next, which includes midfielders Brianna Baszak and Mackenzie Coutts, goalie Andrea Davis and defender Sandy Shepherd.

Danielle Gilberg is the lone sophomore class athlete, but she is surrounded by four freshmen including defender Cassie Callahan, forwards Kaitlyn Couture and Lauren Tobin, plus midfielder Avery Woodhouse.  “We are looking to give playing time and experience to our freshmen,” said Medina.

“We have a lot of expectations from the number of our returning players,” Medina continued. “We have seniors who were here from my first year and many of them have been starters from the beginning. We have a talented freshman class and it is a good mix. The seniors will step up and be leaders on the field and leave something (tradition) after they leave. We will have a strong freshman class next year. This year is obviously our best shot (at a CIF title) with our returners and our talent. I am very excited and the girls are very excited about the season. It will be a good year and there will be some good soccer.”

The team began the season in the Baron’s Tournament with a 1-0 victory over El Capitan on a goal by Becka Runyon. Davis was credited with 10 saves in the shutout.

The “If It’s Free, It’s For Me Tour”in Full Flight

Your Natterer added to an already impressive career banquet total last week as the “If It’s Free, It’s For Me” Tour of CHS Fall Sports banquets reached its zenith.

In no particular order, here are the post season awards from Girls Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Cross Country, and Girls Golf.

Girls Volleyball – The Varsity awards as announced by Head Coach Christina Lahr included: Most Inspirational – Melissa Humphrey; Most Improved – Brianna Baszak, Coach’s Award – Annie Wilson; Golden Ball Award, passed from a graduating varsity member to a first year varsity member – Wilson; First Team All Eastern League – Christy Mebust, Second Team All Eastern League – Kelsey Fitzgerald; Honorable Mention All Eastern League – Kori Fitzgerald; Islander Sports Foundation Award for Integrity, Sportsmanship and Friendship – Rachel Ricker; Co-Captains and Co-MVPs – Christy Mebust and Kelsey Fitzgerald.

The Junior Varsity Awards: Most Inspirational – Brooke Bernardy; Most Improved – Blair Jennings; Co-MVPs – Morgan Bower and Mariah Stacey.

The Freshmen Team Awards: Most Inspirational – Jaclyn Wilson; Coach’s Award – Anik Ribera; Most Improved – Kendall Martin; and MVP – Gaby Gutierrez-Reed.

Girls Tennis – The Varsity awards were presented by Head Coach Rob LeBuhn and included: Most Improved – Katie Culora; Coach’s Award – Jennifer Carney; ISF Awards to Grace Lancaster and Culora; MVP – Natalie Brooks.

Head JV Coach Rob Moore presented his team awards to: Team Captain – Kirsten Krock; Most Improved – Maria Cornago; the Co-MVPs were the team’s top doubles entry of sisters Claire Holman and Monica Holman.

Then it was on to Cross Country where Ben Enowitz, who claimed the Division IV CIF San Diego Section title, finished eighth in the Division IV state race, and earned All-State honors, was named Boys MVP. Sallie Privett was named MVP of the Girls Team. Michael Davies, who battled back from several serious injuries in the past year and continued to compete, was named as the deserving winner of the ISF Award.

The Boys Team consisting of Enowitz, Davies, David Grimes, Kevin Siefert, Ben Green, Turner Stanley, Andy Centeno, Sean O’Brien and Cotter Stacy were all honored as 2007 Central League Champions.

Likewise, the Girls Team of Privett, Adrianna Davies, Coco O’Brien, Selina Schmeck, Annie Lovering, Cassie Callahan and Sadie Gimber were all recognized as 2007 Central League Champions. Between the two squads, a total of nine runners qualified for the State Meet.

(Please pass the salad dressing…Oops) Then it was on to the Girls Golf banquet, held appropriately at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course. Although yours truly tried to dress in golf attire, no one was fooled into thinking Your Natterer knows one end of the club from the other.

The awards as announced by Co-Head Coaches Hannah Cohan and Randy Coutts included: Co-MVPs Jackie Davis and Mackenzie Coutts; ISF Award Winner – Coutts; Service Award – Lety Buil-Macarty; Co-Most Improved – Ashley Mendham and Hillary Gibbs; and Team Captains – Coutts and Allie Icenhower.

Cheerleading Fundraising Note

From December 5-24, the folks at the Costa Azul Grill and Rotisserie, located at 1031 Orange Avenue, are assisting the CHS Cheerleading Squad with a fundraiser. During that time, if you eat at the restaurant or book a holiday party at Costa Azul, 10 percent of your bill will go directly toward funding for the cheer squad.

Once the football season is concluded, the Islander Cheer Squad enters national-level competitions and funding is important. To qualify for the contribution, print the flyer off of Edline or mention the discount to your server. Good food, holiday spirit(s) and all for a worthy cause.