Sports are sprinting to the forefront at Malibu High once again, as holiday tournaments have concluded and league action has begun to heat up. For the next six weeks, each of the Sharks’ sports teams will set course in hopes of a league title.
Here’s a recap of the various sports that competed during Christmas break and started league last week.
Girls Basketball
The Malibu girls basketball team took fifth place in the Avalon Holiday Tournament on Catalina Island with a convincing 46-22 win over Vaughn. Posting a 2-2 mark at the tourney, the Sharks gave up the second-fewest points in the tournament. Junior forward Nina Hungerland was named to the All-Tournament team.
Junior forward Kendall Jordan scored 17 points to lead the Sharks in the fifth-place game. Senior Karen Sanchez and junior Sara Joshi each chipped in eight points, and Joshi led all rebounders with 11 boards. A strong pressing defense overwhelmed Vaughn as the Sharks built a 24-8 halftime lead and never looked back.
Malibu (7-6) also defeated Vaughn, 37-35, earlier in the tournament and suffered losses at the hands of Hesperia, 31-23, and A.G.B.U., 44-24.
“Nina Hungerland has been doing a fine job scoring, passing and rebounding and Kendall Jordan is becoming a force inside,” Coach Andy Meyer said. “Ana Cervantes is a warrior on the court who never gives up on loose balls and Alana Baer is becoming an all-around player.”
Frontier League action began last week and the Lady Sharks lost to Thacher, 24-23, and 40-37 to Villanova Prep. Malibu returns home on January 20 against Foothill Tech.
Boys Basketball
Playing a brutal non-league schedule that included schools such as Oxnard, Calabasas, Crescenta Valley, Campbell Hall and Buckley, the Sharks went 2-10 to begin the season. However, Frontier League play began last week and Malibu couldn’t be happier coming off wins at Fillmore (64-60) and at Thacher (69-42).
Senior Jordan Newt has lit up the scoreboard, averaging 21.4 points per game this season. Newt scored 44 in a 90-82 overtime win against Bernstein, 39 vs. Crescenta Valley, 28 in a 86-67 win vs. Ribet Academy and 27 against Thacher.
Junior Cordell Newton is averaging 13.3 ppg and has scored in double figures in seven games. Junior Oleg Burduzha (8.3 ppg) and sophomore Cade McMillin (8.1 ppg) are having productive seasons as well.
The Sharks (4-10) host Cate and Villanova Prep this Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Games are at 7 p.m.
Boys and Girls Soccer
The Sharks are struggling on the pitch in both programs. The teams are hoping that the Tri- Valley League will serve as a dose of good medicine.
The boys soccer team returned home after posting a 2-2 record at the South Torrance Holiday Tournament. The Sharks defeated Buena, 1-0, and San Pedro, 2-1, to run their overall record to 3-5-1. Malibu will begin league action at home on Wednesday vs. Nordhoff at 5 p.m. and travel to Cate on Friday.
The Lady Sharks are 1-8-1 with upcoming league games at Bishop Diego on Wednesday and against Santa Paula at home at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Girls Water Polo
Malibu lost 17-6 to Foothill Tech last Friday to open up league. Senior goalie Maria Lopez had six saves and two penalty blocks. Senior Raine Murray scored two goals and freshman Sophie Spivack added three goals.
“Foothill Tech was a very good team. We had a lot of shots hit the bar and our team got a lot of ejections due to positioning. This is something we have to work as we go forward in league,” Coach Hayden Goldberg said. “We have to play smarter heads-up water polo. We have the tools and we have the shooters. We just have to put it all together.”
The Lady Sharks host Carpinteria on Wednesday and Cate on Friday. Both matches are at 3:15 p.m.
