Winter Sports Update: Boys’ Basketball Wins DAL Crown
February 6, 2019
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Despite a loss to Miramonte on January 31, the boys’ varsity basketball team finished 1st in the Diablo Athletic League.
“Our team has come well together as a group… and we’ve all bonded together and are playing well,” said sophomore Maxwell Weaver.
The team has rallied around its captains, junior Carter Mahaney and seniors Jake Chan and David Ahazie, according to Weaver.
Last year at the North Coast Section (NCS) Championships, the Cougars lost to Salesian College Preparatory,67-53, at St. Mary’s College.
Weaver said, “We have a good shot at NCS. Wherever we get seeded, I think that we have a good shot to win it.”
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Even though 80% of the starting line up graduated last year, girl’s basketball is still going strong, according to sophomore Kiana Thorson.
Junior Kate Brown has “stepped up to lead the team,” said Thorson. “She’s doing a great job keeping our team together.”
However, Thorson doesn’t believe they have a shot at NCS.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
After a rough start, junior Molly Midthun said the team is “connecting” and that the “captains are doing a really good job of bonding as a team and we’re playing together now.”
Former junior varsity coach, Luis Pinto, took over the varsity coaching for this season. Midthun said, “Luis is figuring stuff too because he’s a new coach and it’s hard as a new coach, but he’s doing pretty well.”
The girls are looking forward to NCS, though hoping for a high seed so as “not play the hardest teams 1st,” said Midthun.
Freshman Sami Kolin and junior Devon Ortman and their “insane” skill will be keys to the squad’s post-season success, added Midthun.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Though last season was “atrocious” with an overall 6-13-4 record, senior Nathan Links believes this season has been better.
“Everything we’ve been doing is just trying to rebuild from last season and I think we’ve done a great job and have continued to do a great job,” said Links.
The team has many seniors. “We’ve all been together for so long, this year is just something different. Everyone is playing with their hearts, and everyone’s really connected. The team bond is super tight, it’s indescribable,” said Links.
Miramonte is the team’s biggest competition. The Mats have beaten the Cougars 3 times in the last 2 years.
Links said, “If we keep playing the way we’ve been playing, we have a good shot [at NCS]. We just kind of [want to] keep doing what we’re doing.”
WRESTLING
With 2 new head coaches this year, Nikko Triggas and Louis Suba, the season has been “pretty good,” according to junior Adrian Bautista. “[Triggas and Suba are] both really good coaches and they know what they’re doing.”
“We 1st started out not so good but we’re getting there, and we’re getting stronger,” added Bautista.
The team ended the regular league season tied for 3rd place with Berean Christian and Concord. Each team finished 3-3 in DAL competition. Alhambra and Miramonte finished 1st and 2nd, respectively.
Juniors Adrian Baptista and Noah Hammen have been critical in leading the team and mentoring the younger athletes.
Those participating in NCS for girls have already been decided, but the boys must compete in a qualifying tournament this weekend to determine advancers.
