Malibu High sends four winter sports teams to the postseason

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Malibu’s Kate Klevit (L) will lead the Sharks into the CIF playoffs. Photo courtesy of John Johnstone

The winter sports season is drawing to a close at Malibu High School, and by all accounts it’s been a successful one for several of the Sharks’ sports teams. Girls water polo and boys basketball won league titles, while the boys and girls soccer teams are getting ready to participate in the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs beginning this week.

The heady success of the winter sports programs continues a successful trend from the fall, when boys water polo and girls tennis each captured league titles. MHS has four titles to its name this year in total, the most since 2009. With spring sports looming ahead in a couple weeks, Malibu could challenge its school record total of seven league championships won back in 2007.

Under the leadership of first-year head coach Meredith Butte, the girls’ water polo program won its sixth straight title, and eighth overall, as the Sharks finished 16-10 overall and 9-1 in the Tri-Valley League. They split their season series with league-foe Carpinteria, and thus each school will share the league title.

The achievement was made despite the off-season losses of head coach Tim Segesman and a host of star players to graduation. The girls returned just three players with any varsity experience, but they worked hard and succeeded despite long odds.

“Winning league was great for the girls,” Butte said. “Being a first-year coach and continuing the winning tradition is always nice. But regardless of winning league or not, the girls grew throughout the season and I am proud of them. Winning was just icing on the cake.”

Junior attacker Linda Brown paced the team with 63 steals and 27 assists, senior driver Jessie Sorce scored 62 goals and junior Jenny Hill-Carta has added 53 goals of her own while drawing 34 kickouts. Sophomore goalie Sara Toussieng has been a nice surprise in goal as she has recorded 150 blocks.

Malibu played La Salle this past Tuesday in the first round of the CIF Division VI playoffs. The winner plays at Pacifica of Garden Grove Thursday at 3 p.m.

Over on the hardwood, the boys basketball team made school history by going undefeated in the Frontier League. The Sharks (18-7, 10-0) won the program’s first outright league title in school history and its first league championship since 2007.

MHS opened its postseason at home against Sierra Canyon last night. The winner of that game will play the winner of Crespi/Rosamond on Friday night at 7 p.m. at a site to be determined.

“It was crucial we went undefeated because they rewarded us with a good seed,” Coach Bobby Tenorio said. “Winning a first round game for us would be a big deal.”

Sophomore center Justin Holmes has turned in a big season so far by averaging 17.8 points per game and 14.0 rebounds per game. Senior guard Jack Platner connected on 36 three-pointers from downtown while scoring 9.5 ppg and dishing out a team-high 88 assists (3.5 apg).

The boys’ soccer program had one of its most successful seasons in recent memory as the Sharks finished in third place in the ultra-competitive Tri-Valley League. Malibu (12-4-2, 6-4-2) had a strong start to the season with nine consecutive wins. The momentum continued as the Sharks defeated Oaks Christian for the first time in seven years on the Lions’ home turf. MHS also swept the season series from Oak Park while knocking off Santa Paula on the road.

“The boys did remarkably well in this league,” Coach Lloyd Kinnear said. “This was our best finish in this league in many years. We only lost four games all season. I’m very pleased.”

Senior forward Sam Haft recently suffered a hamstring injury that puts his availability in doubt for the Sharks this postseason. Haft, one of the top strikers in the league, scored 24 goals and assisted on 12 others.

Malibu will turn to senior midfielder Gio Landou and senior defender London Walley to provide the necessary leadership. The Sharks scored 70 goals on the season while allowing only 22.

MHS played Wilson High School of Hacienda Heights this past Tuesday and the winner will play at La Canada High School at 3 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the CIF Playoffs.

Kinnear feels his team can play with anyone when all the cylinders are firing.

“We just got to make sure we play our game and the boys listen to the coaches’ instruction,” Kinnear said. “I believe if our team comes together, it wouldn’t be fair for the other team to show up. I’m very confident in our boys. I believe we have a great chance to win CIF.”

The girls soccer team began its postseason slate with a wild card game against Ontario Wednesday afternoon. The winner will travel to Lakeside High School on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Malibu (10-4-4, 5-4-3) finished in fourth place in the tough Tri-Valley League. They advanced to the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. Senior captain Maddie Clarfield had an excellent season in goal with nine shutouts. MHS scored 40 goals and gave up only 17 all season. Clarfield recently signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Michigan next year.

“Our team looks forward to making a strong playoff run,” Coach John Johnstone said. “The seniors have provided great leadership all season. Maddie Clarfield, Paige Stoker, Coral Silverberg, Carleigh Madden, Dylan Hanigan and Jaqueline Strum have all been instrumental in our team’s success.”

Sophomore forward Karena Thompson leads the Sharks with 10 goals and 20 points.