Even with class out for winter vacation, the Malibu High School athletic teams remained active, competing in holiday tournaments from Catalina Island to Las Vegas. With school resuming this week, league competition begins, and the Sharks sports teams hope to bring winter’s lessons into the New Year.
Girls Basketball
The Malibu High girls basketball team evened its record at 5-5 with a 42-31 victory over Vaughn High School at the Catalina Island Tournament in Avalon. The Sharks were 2-2 for the tourney, and sophomore guard Gianna Chaisson was named to the All- Tournament team.
Malibu lost in earlier rounds of the tournament to Central Valley Christian, 44-28, and to host Avalon High, 59-27, with a 58-21 win over Vaughn sandwiched between the two losses.
Chaisson scored 12 points and had eight steals in the second win over Vaughn. Senior Agaly De Jesus chipped in 11 points. In the earlier win over Vaughn, Chaisson also had 12 points. Sophomore center Kendall Jordan had 11 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, and sophomore guard Nina Hungerland added 14 points.
The Sharks play La Reina on Thursday at MHS at 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Coming off a third place showing at the Pacifica “Clash on the Coast” Tournament, Malibu traveled to Las Vegas to participate in the Las Vegas Prep Winter Championships. Unfortunately, the Sharks didn’t hit the jackpot. MHS garnered only one win on the trip while suffering three defeats.
Malibu (7-8) opened with a 68-58 loss to Liberty of Nevada. Justin Holmes scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the defeat. Jonathan Baldwin added a career-high 14 points and four three-pointers.
The Sharks rebounded to beat Chavez 66-49 as Cordell Newton scored 14 points to go along with his five rebounds and three assists. Holmes recorded another double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds.
The tournament ended with a tough 74-44 loss to Valley of Nevada and a tight 50-49 defeat to Santa Fe. Frankie McGovern scored 17 versus Santa Fe. Holmes averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds in the tourney while Baldwin knocked down 10 three-pointers overall.
Malibu begins league play on Friday at home against St. Bonaventure at 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer
After taking second place in the Grace Brethren Tournament, the Malibu girls soccer team turned its focus to the Buena Tournament on the day after Christmas. In the opening round, the Sharks lost to Ventura, 2-1, with Carmen Flood scoring the only goal on an assist from Mia Green.
Malibu bounced back with a strong 1-0 victory against LA City Section power El Camino Real. Karena Thompson scored the lone goal on a beautiful pass from Danica Downing.
Despite outshooting Camarillo 21-16, the Sharks suffered a 2-0 setback to the Scorpions in a consolation match. Malibu regrouped and finished the tournament with a 2-0 win against Calabasas to run its season record to 7-5 overall. Thompson scored both goals while Jane Sidley, Britty Walley, Claire Murphy and Sasha Sivitsky provided steady play on defense throughout the tournament.
“The team continues to progress and improve with each game. With a young roster consisting of many freshmen and sophomores, they still need to mature to the physical nature of high school and speed of play,” Malibu coach Jack Craig said. “They have the heart, focus and desire so I am confident by the start of league they will be ready. The leadership of team captains Jane Sidley, Karena Thompson and Carmen Flood has proven to be invaluable along with seniors Erin Samuel and Danica Downing.”
A rash of injuries forced Craig to promote players from the junior varsity team to fill in at times on the varsity. Madeline Ward, Charlotte Jackson and Nina Hungerland did an admirable job while the injured players rested on the sideline.
The Sharks begin Tri-Valley League action versus Santa Paula on January 8 and at Oaks Christian on January 10.
“As the pre-season ends the team accomplished all of our goals. We competed against some of the top teams and large schools with great results,” said Craig. “Although the team was plagued by injuries, the other players stepped up their game. The team has bonded well and is committed to our goals.”
Boys Soccer
Malibu went 1-2 in the Valley Kick-off Classic. The Sharks defeated Chatsworth, 3-0, before falling to Notre Dame, 1-0, and Canoga Park, 3-0. MHS is now 5-3-1 and will host Oaks Christian on Friday at 7 p.m.