During his 10-year tenure, coach Robbie Sandoval’s Matadors have won 10 league championships and captured four section crowns while posting a 250-52 record. Sandoval’s teams are perennial participants in the state playoffs although the Matadors have yet to lasso a SoCal or state title. The Matadors girls are going to have to share the limelight at Mount Miguel this season.
Coach Jay Rowlett, a standout wide receiver at New Mexico State in his playing days, has guided the Matadors’ boys basketball out of also-ran status to the Grossmont Valley League championship with a 22-6 mark in his fourth year at the helm.
"We are happy at how well our girls teams have done," Rowlett said. "We’re trying to make sure that they know that we have more than just a winning girls basketball team out here. Winning a league title should help."
Reaching the section finals for the first time since 1975 would do even more to solidify the Matadors boys as a rising power. Mount Miguel captured the San Diego Section crown in 1968 (when there were no divisions, just one champion), finishing 33-0.
Mount Miguel’s two bachelor basketball maestros are roommates and serve as each other’s assistant coach.
Knights challenging for 3-point shooting marks
The 3-point shooting derby has been something to see in the CIF-SDS this season. Three of the top four all-time leaders continue to add to their already hefty totals.
At the top of the list is Santa Fe Christian senior Karl Holmlund, who has dropped in 325 treys during his four-year career. Holmlund’s Eagles will be fortunate to play in as many as three more games, including two postseason contests.
Question is, will that be enough for Holmlund to hold off Foothills Christian sharp-shooter Kalob Hatcher, who has 262? Hatcher could be involved in as many as nine more games – eight in the postseason should the Knights (26-4) reach the state finale.
Chula Vista’s Jerome Green (1990-93) ranks third at the moment with 259. Foothills Christian’s Troy Leaf, who presently has 255, is surely going to blow past Green and keep the pressure on his teammate.
"Nobody plays basketball to set records," Hatcher told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Those records, they won’t mean anything unless we win the state (Division V) championship."
If all goes according to Hoyle, the Knights should be cast as the No. 1 seed in the Division V Southern California playoffs.
Bishop’s wing hitches ride to Cal State Fullerton
Bishop’s 5-foot-11 wing Briana Martinez has accepted a scholarship offer from Cal State Fullerton. She’s averaging 11.5 points, nine rebounds and 3.5 steals for the Knights (22-6).
"When they asked me if I would commit to Fullerton, it felt like 10,000 pounds were lifted off my shoulders, and I just thanked God that day," Martinez told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Oh, those Imperial Tigers
Leona Garrett drilled in 36 points as the Imperial High Tigers (19-6) tamed Calipatria 65-17 to capture their third straight Desert League championship. A 5-10 senior, Garrett is averaging 19 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. "To me it feels really good to be able to win this title (outright) rather than sharing it like last year," said Garrett, noting that Imperial was a co-champion with Palo Verde Valley last season.
El Cajon Christian extends win streak to 21
Hungarian Zsolt Lakosa scored 19 points and snagged nine rebounds, while sophomore teammate Shane Dillon racked up 15 rebounds and blocked six shots leading El Cajon Christian to a 53-37 victory at Coronado. Not only did the victory clinch the Central League crown for the Patriots (23-2), it extended their winning streak to 21 games.
Other top performances
— Cheikh Ndiaye, a 7-foot freshman at the Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad, rang up a triple-double of 11 points, 11 rebounds and a dozen blocks against La Jolla Country Day.
— Capistrano Valley’s Kevin Panzer, a 6-9, 205 pound senior forward, scored 27 points with 16 rebounds and three 3-pointers in a South Coast League victory over San Clemente.
— Morse’s Abigail Leaupepe-Tele scored 14 points and hauled down 14 rebounds against San Diego Hoover.
— Kearny’s Michael Bailey recorded a dream fourth-period outing, scoring 19 of his team's 23 points against El Cajon Christian. Bailey finished with 27 points.
—Torrey Pines 6-5 junior center Scott Mainquist logged 13 points and 13 rebounds in an 81-64 win over Escondido.
— Grossmont sophomore Robby Nesovic rolled a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds as the Foothillers knocked off Valhalla 48-42.
— Six-foot freshman Tylinn Carter, on the San Diego Serra girls basketball team, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots against Mira Mesa.
— Spring Valley Monte Vista’s Tasha Brown bagged 14 rebounds in the Monarchs double-overtime win over El Capitan.
— El Centro Southwest senior George Legakes hit five 3-pointers and finished with 25 points in a victory over Holtville.
Coming attractions
The SDS will conduct its sectional wrestling championships on Saturday. The Division I finals will be held at San Pasqual; Division II at Scripps Ranch; Division III at Serra; Division IV at Mater Dei. The championship round is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. across the board.
Dickens dealings
Softball pitchers have dominated at the high school level for years. That’s because they have been able to make their 60 mph deliveries from 40 feet.
Too many strikeouts and anemic offenses caused the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to move the pitcher’s circle back three feet to 43 feet, which is the same distance for college pitchers.
This change means it will take a fraction longer for the ball to leave the pitcher's hand and reach the plate. This extra time should help hitters react better and make more contact.
Let’s give credit to the powers that be for recognizing the lack of offense in their game. While the pitchers were racking up record-breaking strikeout totals, the offense had grown stagnant.
More strikeouts than base hits? Nobody but the pitcher’s parents want to see that. This change should make the game more interesting for all.
