Nado Natterings Back to Islandersports
A weekly column by David Axelson

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

26 Nov 2008 Issue No. 45

CHS Head Cross Country Coach George Green leads off the column this week, with the good news that the Islander Girls Cross Country Team won the CIF Division IV title over the weekend. “In 32 years of San Diego Section Girls Cross Country, going into last Saturday's CIF championships, there had been only five Islander girls who could claim the title of San Diego Section CIF Champion, with the last being Jessica Lunt who won the title in 1993.

Sallie Privett became the sixth Islander girl cross country athlete to earn that distinction last Saturday at Morley Field, by winning the Division IV race over the tough 2.75-mile CIF course in 17 minutes and 38 seconds. Her closest competition came from teammate Annie Lovering who finished right behind Privett in 17:42. 

Also at stake in this race was claim to the Girls' Division IV team championship that Coronado hadn't won since 2000. On paper it appeared to be a two-team race between Bishop's and Coronado and that's how it played out with the Islander girls prevailing by the score of 28-38 (low score wins in cross country).

The third and fourth place finishers were from Bishop's. Fifth place went to Islander Sadie Gimber in 18:16, followed by a Christian runner and two more athletes from Bishop's.  Adie Davies was ninth in 18:52 followed by her younger sister, Nicole Davies in 11^th place with a time of 19:52, to complete the Islander's score (the Top 5 finishers from each team are added together to determine the score in cross country). The fifth runner from Bishop's finished in 16^th place, to complete their score. Selina Schmeck (39^th) and Yvonne Wood (47^th) were the other two Islander finishers.  Eight of the 10 All-CIF awards, which are presented to the Top 10 finishers, went to either Bishop's or Coronado runners,. 

The Davies family has been very involved this season with sisters Adie and Nicole on the varsity squad, their father Bill Davies serving as the girls' coach and their mother Julie Davies as the cross country sports booster representative for the Islander Sports Foundation.

The Boys’ Division IV race was controlled by strong teams from La Jolla Country Day and Christian this year, but we did get one Islander on the All-CIF podium in the person of David Grimes who finished fourth overall with a time of 17:41 over the 3.04-mile boys CIF course.  Grimes was also the first of five individual qualifiers for the state meet so he'll join the girls' team in Fresno on November 29^th. 

Sean O'Brian was the second Islander to complete the race, finishing 26^th with a time of 19:07, followed by Kevin Siefert (30^th), Andy Centeno (45^th), Will Funk (53^rd), Aryan Shay (55^th) and Cotter Stacy (running with a stitch in 80^th).”

Islanders Earn Second Place in Division II Boys Water Polo

In their first 30 games this season, the Islander Boys Water Polo Team posted a strong won-loss record of 24-6 (.800). In those games they scored exactly 300 total goals for an average of 10 per game.

Game No. 31 was the CIF San Diego Section Division II Finals against their arch-rivals from The Bishop’s School Saturday night at the La Jolla Coggan Family Aquatic Complex and the result was a decidedly low-scoring affair, with Bishop’s prevailing 4-3. Since the teams split their other two meetings this season by scores of 8-7 (Bishop’s winning at Coronado) and 9-8 (Coronado winning at Bishop’s) the third, final and rubber game of the 2008 series figured to be close, but not necessarily low-scoring.

The first 4 plus minutes of the game were scoreless. before the Knights scored at the 2:44 mark, followed 12 seconds later by an Islander tally from Alex Johnson on an assist from Rex Butler. The feeling seemed to be at that point that both teams had finally found the net, so let the scoring begin. Bishop’s scored with 53 seconds remaining in the quarter to take a 2-1 lead into the second frame.

Despite opportunities on both sides including a couple of man-up scoring situations for both teams, neither squad scored until 23 seconds remained in the half when Tommy Schofer scored for Coronado on an assist from Butler.

A mere 89 seconds into the second half, Coronado took a 3-2 lead on the second of Johnson’s two goals of the evening, this one on an assist from Schofer. Coronado seemed ready to take command of the game, but it would be the Islanders last goal of the championship contest. Bishop’s answered at the 3:54 mark of the third quarter and again with 4.35 seconds remaining in the quarter to take a 4-3 lead. Neither team would score for the balance of the game.

Bishop’s had the better of the offensive play, officially being credited with 26 shots on goal to 15 for the Islanders. It was an up-tempo and aggressively played game on both sides, with the game lasting less than an hour total, a fast pace for a championship water polo game.

Although Bishop’s prevailed to win the title, the best player in the pool Saturday evening was Islander goalie Justin Parsons, who was credited with 16 saves and kept Coronado in the game when the Islander offense wasn’t able to score. Two of the four Bishop’s goals came during man-advantage situations (6 Knights offensive players vs. 5 Islander defenders). Several of Parsons’ saves came on shots taken from point blank range.  “He kept us in a tremendous number of games this season,” said Islander Head Coach Randy Burgess of his senior net minder. “Justin is a college-level goalie who will have his choice from among a number of schools.”

Burgess went on to discuss the game and his squad. “The total number of goals is one in their favor in three meetings, but I thought Bishop’s was well prepared. This game aside, we had a phenomenal season. We beat Foothill, who won Division I (in Orange County) and we beat Mater Dei in our tournament and then again a week later and they won Division II in Orange County. But we don’t have the bragging rights as the San Diego Division II champion.”

Burgess, now the owner of 602 career coaching victories at Coronado, continued his thoughts on his team. “We started with a young, green group of kids and they made huge strides. They took the loss hard, but they took it well. We talked before the game about winning and losing with class. I wouldn’t give up this group of guys for anything.”

In the semi-final game, which was a 10-8 Coronado victory over La Jolla, Parsons had 14 saves, which was nicely balanced on the other end of the pool by four goals from Alex Johnson, including a beautiful back-handed sweep shot for his third score. Butler added two goals and an assist, and single goals were scored by Paul Pedrotty, Andrew Ireland, David Rodriguez and Schofer, who also dished out two assists.

Islander Football Playoff Game Site and Time Change Determined

Last week at this time, we noted in this space that Santa Fe Christian was given the No. 4 seed in the CIF Division IV Football Playoffs to No. 5 for Coronado and thus the Eagles would host the 7 pm playoff game Friday night. Except their home field doesn’t have lights, which would necessitate either a change in venue for the contest or the potentially costly importation of lights for the mandated night game.

Well, apparently the CIF was just kidding about the 7 pm starting time and now the game will be played Friday, Nov. 28 at 1:30 pm at Santa Fe Christian. My advice would be to leave home early and pack a light lunch. The Eagle’s facility is quite small and the stands are almost literally on top of the field. All in all, that was an amazing administrative turnaround.

Let’s proceed to matters on the field instead of off. When asked about the three practices held during the bye week, Islander Head Coach Bud Mayfield was positive about his team’s progress. “We looked pretty good. Tyler Suggett (offensive and defensive lineman) has rounded back into form. The first time we played Santa Fe Christian, we had three sophomores in there who were inexperienced, playing against a good team. We’re a little bit more solid now. Everybody is healthy and rested at the moment. We’ll have three days of practice again this week. The seniors have been great this year. I’m really proud of them. They can win this game.”

CHS Girls Volleyball Awards

Last week Your Natterer had the pleasant duty of being invited to and attending three awards banquets back-to-back-to-back, Tuesday through Thursday nights. More formally around the Natter Household, it’s known as the ‘If It’s Free, It’s For Me Tour.’ I’m contemplating having tour t-shirts printed and sold, perhaps something with a nifty knife and fork motif.

First up was the Girls Volleyball banquet and the Freshman Team awards were announced by Head Coach Jessica Settle. Most Improved – Melissa Wood, Most Inspirational – Cory DeMarco, Coach’s Award – Trina Taufaasau and MVP – Lauren Bower.

The JV Awards went to: Coach’s Award – Alanna Pompa; Most Improved – Mailey Augustine; Most Inspirational - Lindsay Kiernan and MVP – Ally Wilson.

Head Coach Christina Lahr announced the Varsity awards, including: Golden Ball Award (awarded to most deserving first time varsity player) - Morgan Bower; Most Inspirational – Briana Giorgione; Most Improved – Megan Moran; Coach’s Awards – Maddie Boomer and Korie Fitzgerald; ISF Award for Integrity, Sportsmanship and Friendship – Rachel Ricker for the second consecutive year; and MVPs – Melissa Humphrey and Annie Wilson.

Volleyball Club Tryouts Announced

Tryouts for the Allen Allen Volleyball Club will be held Sunday, Nov. 30^th at Coronado High School. Girls 12 and under will have their tryouts from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Girls 13 and older will go from 1-3 pm. There is a fee associated with the tryout and then to participate in the club.

The program’s mission is to provide a club volleyball program for young girls where they can learn the fundamentals and complex skills of volleyball, in a fun and competitive learning environment. This year there will be three 12 and under teams, two 14 and under teams, and one 16’s team.

For further information, please contact club Director Allen Allen at allen2x@hotmail.com or Assistant Club Director Leilani Au Hoon at hulaomanini@hotmail.com or visit the club’s website at allenallenvolleyball.com.

Back to the Banquet Circuit – Girls Tennis

If it’s Wednesday night, it must be Girls Tennis. JV Head Coach Rob Moore presented the JV awards, which included: Coach’s Award – Niki Kruger; Most Improved – Helen Hejl and Jamie Probert; Team Captain and Coach’s Award Winner – Karisa Chapa; and Team MVP - C.J. Fisher.

The Varsity Awards, presented by Head Coach Rob LeBuhn went to: Co-Captains Jennifer Carney and Spencer Berman; Coach’s Awards – Jennifer Carney and Jordan Vaughn; Most Improved – Kirsten Krock and Team MVP – Spencer Berman.

And Then Girls Golf

The trifecta was completed Thursday night with Girls Golf. Not wanting to create a stampede through the hosts’ house for sightseeing purposes, ask a golf team member about the banquet. It was first class in all respects.

Coaches Hanna Cohan and Randy Coutts talked about their 13-member team, which included placing nine the players into the City Conference playoffs. Award winners included: ISF Award – Mackenzie Coutts for the second consecutive year; Most Improved – Joy Jamison; Captain – Leity Buil-Macarty; Coach’s Award – Brooke Clifford; and Team MVP and Stroke Average Leader – Jackie Davis.

Congratulations to the award winners in all three of these fall sports.

Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament Starts Nov. 28^th

A quick reminder that the 2008 edition of the Coronado Thanksgiving Girls Basketball Tournament will begin play the Friday after Thanksgiving. The event has 10 teams split into two pools. Coronado’s side of the bracket includes San Dieguito, Our Lady of Peace, Hilltop and Holtville. Competing in Pool B are Chula Vista, Ramona, University City, Imperial and Point Loma.

The beauty of the tournament is that two games are going at all times and if one game isn’t to your liking, you can wander over to the other court and check out that game. Friday Coronado plays San Dieguito at 12:40 pm and then follows up that contest with a game against Holtville at 5:40 pm. Saturday there is a similar schedule, with Coronado playing Hilltop at 12:40 pm and then hosting OLP at 4 pm.

Results from the first two days of play and four games, are then used to seed the final round, which will be played Saturday, Dec. 6 at Coronado.

CHS Alumni Baseball Game Dec. 27

Islander Head Baseball Coach Sam Ceci recently announced that the CHS Alumni Baseball Game will be held Saturday, December 27^th at 11 am. “It’s an opportunity for us to show off the improvements we have made to the field and our new scoreboard,” said Ceci.

The event format, which is pretty loose and designed for fun, starts with batting practice at 10 am. In theory the alumni play the current CHS varsity roster, although that can change without warning. “It’s really casual and we have a good time,” Ceci added. Afterwards hot dogs and hamburgers are served to the participants.

To participate, please contact Coach Ceci at 435-0854. Donations to the program are of course gratefully accepted.

San Diego Chargers Review

See last week’s column. Print from website or extract newspaper from re-cycling bin. Read. Re-cycle again for use next week.

Only a one-sided loss by Denver to Oakland is keeping a mathematical playoff hope alive for the San Diego Chargers.  Kudos to Charger nose tackle Jamal Williams who had a great game. Lesser kudos to the team defense, which played well in spots, but not when it counted. Leaving Colt quarterback Peyton Manning 90 seconds on the clock, with the ball and a chance to score is a recipe for yet another Charger loss.