The Malibu High School boys basketball team had two easy victories in its opening playoff games. The Sharks (19-9) crushed the Ventura County Christian Stars, 73-30, in their first postseason contest last week on Wednesday at Malibu High. Four days later, Malibu cruised to another victory, with a 64-38 win at home against Cornerstone Christian in a game marred by a hostile environment in which Shark players were threatened.
Malibu was scheduled to take on Kern Valley in the third round on Tuesday night after The Malibu Times went to print. Look for the result at www.malibutimes.com.
The Sharks had a powerful start against Ventura County Christian, outscoring their opponent 23-0 in the first quarter. The Stars’ first points did not come until a three pointer with 5:19 remaining in the second quarter, a shot cheered by Ventura and Malibu fans. At halftime, the Sharks led 35-7, and at the end of the third quarter, they were up 62-18.
Malibu senior Chris Peck led the way with 23 points, and sophomore Chandler Abbott contributing 14 more. Sharpshooters Derek Helm and Ben Rotman added 10 points each, and the entire Sharks squad was brought off the bench to make a contribution.
Coach Jack Pollon said he was proud of his players’ performance.
“I was very pleased with the first quarter, leading 23-0,” Pollon said. “We didn’t come out lax. We didn’t come out lazy. We put out the first punch and overall I was very happy. It’s the playoffs; it’s either go hard or go home.”
Senior Ryan Walczuk, who last year racked up the league MVP trophy, said the team is moving in a good direction.
“It feels nice to get the program to that next level, and to make it respectable,” Walczuk said.
The Sharks did not start off as strong on Sunday against Cornerstone Christian, but, by the end of the first quarter, they led 18-13. The teams traded baskets, drawing partisan reactions from the fans for both sides. The Sharks went into the half leading 35-22, and came back out blazing onto the court, making an 11-2 run in the third quarter to take a 46-24 lead.
At one point, the two teams became so physical that a double foul was called on a Crusaders’ player and Malibu junior Mario Johnson, leading to screams of obscenities from the fans for both sides.
In the fourth quarter, leading by more than 30 points, Pollon began clearing his bench. With 10 seconds remaining in the game and the ball in Cornerstone’s hands, Malibu senior Marcus Robbins went up for a block. After a foul was called on him, Robbins went to pump up the Malibu crowd. A technical foul was called on Robbins and senior James Hunter, who went over to high five Robbins.
At the conclusion of the game, the two teams decided not to shake hands, since both Cornerstone players and parents acted threateningly toward the Sharks’ players. The Sharks had to be rushed off the court and straight to the locker room, where they were forced to wait until all opposing fans and players had left.
After the game, Abbott discussed the situation, saying, “It’s overwhelming. The game was amazing, but the fact that we have to wait like this [in the locker room] is way too intense.”
Walczuk agreed, commenting, “It was a good win, but it puts a sour taste in your mouth to have something like this. But I was really happy with our performance overall.”
Going into their next game, Abbott said, this will help to motivate them. “It pumps us up more. We’re just more psyched to win.”