SAMOHI — The girls on Santa Monica’s basketball team will get an opportunity to take it to their teachers next week.
Head Coach Marty Verdugo has organized an exhibition against the school’s faculty as a warm-up to the season, which begins late this month.
“We invite teachers to come out,” Verdugo said, “it is a fun night.”
This is the first time he has organized the game in two years, but he expects his girls to come out on top, which they did the last time the team took on the faculty.
The game is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
During halftime, senior guard Thea Lemberger will be presented with a plaque honoring her selection to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1 All-State Team last season. Lemberger helped lead Samohi to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 1A playoffs last season. The team was later selected to participate in the state playoffs where the Vikings were defeated by eventual state champion Long Beach Poly.
Lemberger recently signed to play for UCLA next year.
Pacifica Christian girls v-ball advances<p>
Pacifica Christian’s sports program continues to be successful despite the school’s relatively few years of existence.
The girls volleyball team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 5AA playoffs with a win over Archer at Crossroads High School on Thursday.
The Seawolves advanced to face Boron on the road Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Decker wins top league honor<p>
Former Samohi and UCLA slugger Cody Decker continues to add to his trophy case.
After being drafted in the 22nd round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the San Diego Padres last June following a stellar career at UCLA, Decker has been given the Arizona League Player of the Year award earlier this week. Former Samohi star Tyler Skaggs also played in that league for the Los Angeles Angels affiliate.
This isn’t the first honor bestowed on the hard-hitting Decker this season. He was previously named an AZL All-Star and the league’s MVP.
In 52 games, Decker led the AZL in home runs (15), doubles (21), extra-base hits (39) and slugging percentage (.717). His home run total was nearly twice the next-closest competitor.
After the AZL Padres ended its season, Decker was promoted to single A affiliate the Fort Wayne TinCaps. That is where the young slugger is expected to begin next season.
