By Joe Snyder
Gardena High’s boys’ soccer team finished in third place in the Marine League by shutting out Rancho Dominguez Prep from Long Beach 3-0 Friday at Gardena.
The Panthers began the scoring on a goal by Martin Gutierrez on an assist by Angel Davila. Gardena increased its lead to 2-0 on Davila’s goal. Gardena continued to lead by that score at halftime.
Gardena scored its last goal from Franco Valenzuela midway in the second half.
“I was pleased with the way the kids played,” Gardena assistant coach Marvin Bolainez said.
“They played as a team. It was a very good group success.”
Gardena made the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division III playoffs as it begins next Wednesday against today’s winner between University Prep and Hollywood, beginning at 3 p.m. at home. The Panthers received the third seed.
North Torrance High’s boys’ soccer team also placed third in the Pioneer League after defeating Torrance, which clinched the league championship on Feb. 3, 2-1 last Friday at North.
The Saxons advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs as they began Wednesday at Calabasas High.
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North unbeaten in league action
North Torrance High’s boys’ basketball team already clinched its fourth consecutive Pioneer League championship after rolling over El Segundo 74-29 on Jan. 30 but was seeking to go 8-0 in the Pioneer League as it visited cross town rival Torrance on Feb. 3.
The Saxons made sure of that. They surged out to an early 22-2 bulge enroute to a 69-48 win over the Tartars.
North, which is 23-5 overall, had a commanding lead throughout the contest at 24-10 after the first quarter, 37-23 at halftime and 55-37 after three periods.
The Saxons were led by junior forward Geovanni Gilpen with 18 points and Jordan Staub with 15. Joshua Legette added nine points.
Torrance, which finished third in league at 5-5, was led by senior forward Cash Correa with a game-high 19 points, including scoring all 10 of the Tartars’ points in the first quarter. Chris Hawkins chipped in nine points.
North will play in the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs as it began on Wednesday at home against Oxnard High. The winner will take on either Anaheim Canyon or Silverado in the second round at a site to be determined Friday at 7 p.m.
Torrance is in Division IV and opened at home against Cantwell-Sacred Heart from Montebello on Wednesday. If the Tartars win, they will face either Fountain Valley Los Amigos or Long Beach Jordan at a site to be determined Friday at 7 p.m.
Serra High’s boys’ basketball team pulled out third place by slipping past southeast Los Angeles Verbum Dei-Jesuit 54-53 in a tiebreaking playoff game last Friday at Serra.
The Cavaliers were led by Drew Carter with 22 points and C.J. Anyikwa with 17 points and eight rebounds.
On Feb. 2 at Serra, the Eagles forced the CIF-Southern Section play in game with a 53-50 victory over the Cavaliers.
Serra, on top of that, received the top seed in the Southern Section Division V playoffs as it began against Diamond Ranch from Pomona on Wednesday. If the Cavaliers win, they face either Irvine Northwood or Valley Torah Friday at 7 p.m.
Gardena ended the Marine League at 1-9 after home losses to Long Beach Rancho Dominguez Prep 67-53 on Feb. 4 and Carson 50-49 on Friday.
The Panthers, though, received a spot in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division IV playoffs as the No. 4 seed. They open Friday against the wildcard winner of Wednesday’s game between University Prep and University of Southern California Magnet. Game begins at 7 p.m.
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Serra girls’ basketball team stays unbeaten
Serra High’s girls’ basketball team ended the Camino Real League with an unbeaten 10-0 record by crushing host Bishop Conaty-Loretto 67-9 last Friday in Los Angeles.
The Lady Cavaliers had very little trouble against the hapless Wildcats in rushing to a 23-0 first quarter lead. Bishop Conaty-Loretto never scored more than four points in a quarter.
The Lady Cavaliers, 23-4 overall, were led by freshman Iani Paul with 12 points, five rebounds and four steals. Freshman Shanice McClain had a double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds. She also had eight steals. Jordan Buckley chipped in nine points.
After being CIF-Southern Section Division IVAA runner-up last season, Serra will play in Division II as it begins at Chino Hills today at 7 p.m.
North Torrance ended the Bay League in second place behind champion Redondo after defeating Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula on Feb. 3. The Lady Saxons, who are 23-3 overall and 6-2 in league, will begin the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs at home against a familiar opponent in Mar Vista Windward tonight at 7 p.m. Last season, it was Windward that eliminated North in the first round of the Southern California Regional playoffs 62-49 on March 4 at Windward. The Wildcats are a traditional girls’ basketball power.
West Torrance, which took fourth in Bay action, is also in the Division I playoffs as it begins at Orange Lutheran today at 7 p.m.
Champion Redondo, which ended league by downing host Manhattan Beach Mira Costa 56-36 on Feb. 3, is last seed in the 12-team Open Division as it begins at Sage Hill Prep in Newport Beach at the same time.
Gardena High’s girls’ basketball team closed the Marine League on a good note with road wins over Long Beach Rancho Dominguez Prep 58-14 on Feb. 4 and Carson 30-28 last Friday.
The Lady Panthers are seeded second, behind No. 1 Washington, in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division III as they begin at home against Mendez from East L.A. today at 4 p.m.
Carson is 10th seed in Division II as it opens at No. 7 Verdugo Hills. Narbonne is 12th seed in Division I where it begins at No. 5 Arleta. Both games are also today at 4 p.m.
