Hollywood Park Racetrack may have closed, but here in Malibu we have our own exciting races. As league play enters the final three weeks of action, several Malibu High School sports teams are jockeying for position to make the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs.
Girls Water Polo
In search of its eighth consecutive league title, the Malibu girls water polo team stepped outside of conference play this past weekend to test itself against stronger competition in the Oxnard tournament at Oxnard High School. The Sharks went 2-2 in the tourney; losing to champion Newbury Park and Atascadero in pool play before defeating Burbank and Hueneme in consolation matches.
Now, Malibu (8-7 overall) refocuses its sights on finishing Tri-Valley League (TVL) play with another championship. With a 4-0 record in TVL play, that effort appears to be going swimmingly. That undefeated record includes a 13-6 drubbing on Jan. 17 of Carpinteria, who shared the league title a year ago. Leading 7-5 entering the final period, Malibu exploded on a 6-1 outburst to win going away.
Raine Murray leads the team in scoring with Emma London anchoring down the defense. Goalkeeper Sara Toussieng has made 59 blocks so far on the season.
“My goal is to win league and go far in CIF,” Coach Hayden Goldberg said. “I am very proud of my girls. They have worked so hard and it is paying off. We are a great squad and are really close. The seniors have been excellent leaders.”
The Sharks play at home on Friday against Villanova Prep at 3:15 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Under first-year coach Jack Craig, the Sharks have positioned themselves to earn a postseason berth. Through the first five games of TVL action, Malibu is 3-2.
They have defeated Santa Paula (5-0), Carpinteria (3-0) and Grace Brethren (3-1). In the win versus Grace Brethren, Sasha Sivitsky scored two goals and Jane Sidley chipped in another. Blemishes have come at the hands of league-leader Oak Park, 2-0, and Oaks Christian, 2-0.
Malibu is currently 11-7 overall and plays at Carpinteria on Friday.
“The team is working hard and together as one unit. We are on track to make CIF and we still have a shot at the league title,” Craig said. “The senior leadership and junior goalkeeper Seaira Moore have kept the team positive and moving forward. They work hard and never quit. I love coaching them and feel blessed for this group.”
Boys Soccer
The boys are also enjoying a run of strong play, running neck-and-neck with Santa Paula for first place in the Tri-Valley League. After the first half of league, the Sharks are three points behind Santa Paula in second place, with 10 points.
The foundation of this season’s team is a strong defense. After tying Oaks Christian, 1-1, in its league opener, Malibu has won three of four contests, all by shutout: Carpinteria (2-0), Fillmore (5-0) and Oak Park (1-0). The only loss for MHS was a 2-1 setback to Santa Paula last week.
Against Oak Park last Friday night, Malibu (9-4-3, 3-1-1) dominated possession of the ball, limiting the Eagles’ offensive attack. With two minutes remaining in the first half, Ari Taublieb scored on a free kick. Goalie Max Watkin nailed down his eighth shutout of the season.
Malibu hosts Carpinteria this Friday at 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
The Lady Sharks basketball team has improved significantly this season from a year ago, currently sporting a 7-10 record overall and 1-4 mark in league play. On Jan. 16 they defeated Santa Clarita Christian, 37-21, behind the strong play of Gianna Chaisson who had 11 rebounds, four steals and five points.
In their next game, they knocked off over Grace Brethren, 34-26, to capture their seventh win of the season. Trailing 17-16 at the half, the Sharks came out and played smothering defense in the third quarter, holding the Lancers to just one point en route to the win.
Senior forward Agaly De Jesus had seven points, nine rebounds and three steals. Sophomore center Kendall Jordan scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds.
The MHS girls JV basketball team improved its season record to 6-4, the best record for the JV team in many years. Last week they defeated Carpinteria’s JV team, 27-22. Tania Moran had 10 points and Maggie Valdman had eight points.
Boys Basketball
The boys team (8-13, 1-4), competing in a difficult league for basketball, is in the midst of a slump after dropping seven of their last eight games. After pulling out an exciting 61-54 overtime victor y against Santa Clara behind Frankie McGovern’s 14 points, the Sharks lost back-to-back league games to Bishop Diego (61-52) and Oak Park (50-42).
Jonathan Baldwin scored 15 points versus Bishop Diego and Justin Holmes pumped in 19 against Oak Park.