CITYWIDE — This season has been kind to area sports teams.
Santa Monica High School, Crossroads School, Pacifica Christian High School and St. Monica all will be heavily represented in the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs in soccer, basketball and girls water polo this year.
Samohi girls water polo makes 14th straight appearance
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For a team that has made the playoffs for more than a decade straight, defining success can be a bit elusive.
Girls water polo coach Matt Flanders said that making the postseason is nice, but feels that it is a given considering his team’s success in recent years. Last season, his Vikings made it to the semi-finals and he hopes they have the firepower to make it that far again.
“I think [the players] are talented enough to take the stress of the playoffs,” Flanders said. “We went undefeated in league. The girls have good confidence going into the game.”
The Vikings will face the winner of a wild card game featuring Fullerton and Fontana high schools that was played on Tuesday. The results of that game were not announced by presstime.
Flanders said he doesn’t know much about either team, but likes his Vikings’ chances against either team.
“The team is coming together at the right time,” Flanders said. “We’ve added some twists to offense and defense.”
Samohi, which finished the season 16-11 overall and 10-0 in Ocean League play, will play today at 3:15 p.m. at the pool on campus.
“It’s a huge advantage when you play at home,” he said. “You have a home crowd, your refs; that’s huge.
“Going away, not so much.”
Pacifica hoops making a name
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For a school that has been in existence for just a few years, Pacifica Christian High School has made major strides in athletics.
Athletic Director and head boys basketball coach Kevin Kelsey is proud of his team’s accomplishments on the court this season.
“We’re really excited,” Kelsey said. “There is a little more pressure than in the past. We want to get deeper into the playoffs this year.”
This will be the third playoff appearance for the Seawolves. Last season, the team won its first-ever playoff game and Kelsey would like to build on that accomplishment.
The Seawolves, who are the third seed in this year’s playoffs, finished the season 21-3 overall and 14-0 in Mulholland League play.
Pacifica will play First Lutheran High School from the Omega League today at Culver City High School.
While his school may be somewhat new to the playoffs, he said his players are taking it in stride.
“They are much looser than I am,” Kelsey said. “I think that comes with being younger.”
Other scheduled games
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• Santa Monica High School boys basketball (19-7 overall and 6-4 in Ocean League play) will play Montclair High School today on the road. Montclair finished the season 14-10 overall and 6-4 in Mt. Baldy League play.
• St. Monica boys basketball will play at Milken High School today. The Mariners finished the season 17-9 overall and 5-5 in Camino Real League play.
• Crossroads School’s boys basketball team, which just squeaked into the playoffs, will play Division V-AA co-No. 1 seed Desert High School on the road today. The Roadrunners finished the season 10-14 overall and 5-5 in Olympic League play.
daniela@www.smdp.com
