By Alex Miwa and Cora Chong

 

Girls Waterpolo Wins 2nd Place in CIF

By Lena Hedayat

The Varsity Girls’ water polo team played an excellent season this year. Though there were some difficulties in the beginning, the ladies came through with flying colors. Going back to January 20 the ladies defeated Culver City 11-2, playing a great third league game. Following this game two days later was the match facing Milken, ending 20-6. This game proved to not be much of a challenge for the girls, and they easily ended on top. However, the ladies were faced with a challenge when their first league game against Santa Monica, their rivals, was played on January 27. This game was unfortunately a loss, ending 4-5. Yet the Eagles overcame this disappoint at their next game opposing Beverly Hills where the Varsity girls won 6-3. On February 3 the Eagles had another loss against Torrance, the final score being 6-9. Culver City’s second game versus El Segundo Eagles at our home pool was yet again another success with the final score being 8-4. The ladies played a great game, efficiently reaching their victory. Once again, the ladies went up against Milken, and won, this time the score being 18-7. The concluding game in the Varsity girls’ league was struggled against the infamous Santa Monica who proceeded to repeatedly beat the Eagles, 6-9. Yet the Eagles tied in second place in league with Torrance, and won the flip as to who would earn the second place position. This meant the Eagles were able to play in the first round of C.I.F. against Sonora. The ladies played a good, hard game, and managed to only lose by one point in the end, leaving the score 5-6. This, however, was a major breakthrough for the girls, and team captain senior Haley Cox contributes, “As a Captain, I am very proud of my team, and how much we accomplished against the odds. We moved up a division even though we lost our ten-year coach and basically all of our starters, and we still made it to C.I.F. We lost against Sonora last year by one point, and we lost against them this year again by one point. We improved so much and making it to C.I.F. playoffs was a great note to end on for my senior year.” The Eagles came through as 7-3 in league, and 13-14 overall. Co-captain Kylie Langlois adds, “The season was really awesome. We had a really rough start with a new coach and a new team, but we worked through it and bonded through lots of food. I’m really proud of everyone this season, and I’m glad my senior year turned out as well as it did.” The team had their share of struggles, but ultimately had a great season. Senior and accompanied co-captain Sarah Katz finishes off with some detail, “The season was successful. We started the year off practicing the basics to bring our team together and to the same level. Through many team dinners, which were really fun, our team bonded and became a powerhouse in the ocean league. As a senior, I can sincerely say that this year was amazing, and I don’t regret, nor will I forget it. Eagles, we rock! Love you all, and I am very proud of us! Go polo!” Congratulations ladies!

Boys Basketball Ends Their Season

By Andrew Gen

Since January, the Eagles basketball team has played a plethora of league games. First playing a tough game against Torrance, the Eagles fought hard against the Tartars, but were unable to outscore them and finished the game loosing 42-54. The following week the Eagles faced South. After dominating the first quarter 15-5, the Eagles kept momentum throughout the game and came out on top with a closing score of 50-36.Two days later the team played the Lawndale Cardinals. The Eagles struggled to put points on the board and only having four players score in the game. Junior John Ryan scored 18 points out of the 35 points the Eagles scored, but it was not enough to compare with Lawndale’s total of 50.
    The Eagles then headed off to face the Centennial Apaches, but were defeated 38-58. Ryan scored half of the Eagle's total making him a dominant player of the team. At their next game the Eagles stayed home to play North. The Eagles struggled throughout the game and never gained the lead and lost 46-64. Attempting to escape their loosing streak, the Eagles headed off to Torrance in their second league game against the Tartars. Leading at the half 27-24, the Eagles fell behind by the end of third quarter but were able to catch up to tie the game and the teams head into overtime. Unfortunately, the team was unable to outscore the Tartars in overtime, and ended up losing 56-61. The Eagles headed to South and it became a battle between defenses. With a low scoring first half (7-11), the two teams brought out their offenses, but the Spartan offence was too strong for the Eagles, and the game finished 31-41.
    The Eagles stayed at home to face Lawndale for the second time. Losing to the Cardinals 38-58 the month before, the Eagles ran onto the court with their heads up high. Due to the Eagle's fast start and finishing the first quarter ahead, the Eagles edged out the Cardinals 52-49, breaking their losing streak. With only one league game left, the Eagles faced Centennial. The Apaches outscored the Eagles in the first three quarters but the Eagles turned on the heat and attempted to overcome the Cardinals but came up short one point and finished the game 60-61. The Eagles went into the first CIF playoff game against Laguna Beach but were outscored 43-56 ending their season
    The boys basketball team finished this year with a record 10-17 overall and 2-8 in league putting them in 5th place in the Pioneer League. Ryan ended the season averaging 14 points a game. 
    The Eagles showed great promise and with young star players like Ryan, junior Hunter Hovland and sophomore Brandon Jawato the team can look forward to next year’s season which they believe to be better than this. We'll see you next year Eagles!

Girls Basketball Fights Hard

By Andrew Gen

Since January, the lady Eagles have attempted to better their overall record. First playing against Torrance, the Eagles came up short 31-64. But the following Monday, the team went away to Mary Star to try their court skills against the Stars. The Eagles overwhelmed the Stars and creamed them 63-38. The Eagles then played South - a tough game. The Eagles tried their best to keep up with the Spartans but where outscored 34-54. The next Friday, the team went away to Lawndale and faced a tight game against the Cardinals. The team, down at the half, kicked up their game in the second half and overcame the Cardinals 44-43. The girls had the weekend and two days of tough practice before their game against Centennial. But the Apaches ran over the Eagles, as the game ended in a loss 48-72. That Friday, the Eagles stayed at home to play North. Losing at the half the Eagles stepped up their defense and only allowed five points to be scored against them in the third quarter but still couldn't close out the win by the final buzzer; the game ended in a 29-45 loss. Days later the Eagles faced the Torrance Tartars, keeping a close score throughout the game, the Eagles couldn't pull off a win against the Tartars and were defeated 41-53. The Eagles went over to South to play the Spartans of South Torrance. But déjà' vu struck when the Eagles lost 40-52.
    The lady Eagles headed off into the CIF playoffs against Lutheran High but where outmatched from the begging of the first half after they found themselves behind 19-36 at the half. By the end of the game the Eagles had trouble putting points on the board and lost 46-73. 
    The girl’s season this year fought hard and played tough. They were dedicated to the sport and had a fun time playing the sport they love. They look forward to a great season next year where they will hone their skills and help the Eagles soar into a better team.

Boys Soccer Struggles on Field

By Lena Hedayat

   Boys’ soccer did not have the best luck this season, but still worked hard as a team to bring forth the best results they could. Going back to their league game Wednesday, January 21 against South Torrance up until their last league game Thursday, February 12, the Eagles did not manage to scrape a single win, but played some good games. As senior Kei Takamura says, “We tried our best this year, but I know the soccer team will do better next year.” Going back to January 21, the boys had an unfortunate loss against South Torrance, ending 0-3. The next game facing Lawndale was again another loss, but the boys played hard and put forth their best. Following this game on January 26, was another loss against Torrance High, ending 0-3. Two days later the boys upped their status against Centennial with a valiant loss, ending 2-5. January 30, the boys once again faced a loss against North Torrance, ending 0-4. Torrance High then proceeded to also defeat El Segundo Eagles 0-3, as did South Torrance, 2-5. However, when the Eagles faced Lawndale February 10, they only lost by one point, ending 1-2. Lastly, the boys had one more loss at their last league game against Centennial, ending 2-4. The Eagles stepped it up this game and played hard. Though the boys had a valiant attempt, they faced disappointment. Junior Ryan Denman adds, “We didn’t have a very successful season, but it is impossible for us to do worse next year, so we look forward to next season.” All in all, the Eagles faced much hardship this season due to circumstance and injury.

Girls Soccer Makes it to the Semi-Finals!

By Lena Hedayat

    Extraordinary talent has been displayed this season so far on the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team. Since last issue, the girls have been dominating the field, making their way into the top four teams in Division V. Going back to Friday, January 16; the Eagles defeated Torrance High School, 2-0. Following this game was another against South Torrance on the 21st, and it was the only loss the ladies had in this run. On January 23, the Eagles beat Lawndale 9-2, with sophomores Kayla Sánchez and Hannah Hough,  juniors Halima Abdelshife, Allison Reaser, and Natalie Barbosa, and senior Itchell Guzman scoring the goals. The ladies next game on January 28 was again another stomping win against hapless Centennial, ending 13-0. The Eagles following three games against North Torrance, Torrance, and South Torrance were all victories, the ladies had to make a come from behind win against South Torrance on February 6, winning 3-1. The goal scorers in this streak included seniors Courtney Hobbs, Leana Timoteo-Mamea, Jenna Rich, and Missy Schaefer, Barbosa, Abdelshife, and Sánchez. The Varsity girls next win was opposing Lawndale for the second time on February 10; the game finishing 2-0, with Reaser and Sámchez responsible for the goals. On February 12, the Eagles played their last league game against Centennial again, winning 11-0. Having taken the lead in this final game, the girls headed off to C.I.F. Meanwhile, the Junior Varsity girls finished their season undefeated. Timoteo-Mamea says, “I am so happy that our team has made it this far. ’09 made history! We are going all the way this year and I’m so excited to say I am part of varsity soccer. I love all the girls and of course Juan!”
            The first C.I.F. game occurred on February 19 against Brentwood, the Eagles pulling through with a win, 2-0. The game was well played with Barbosa and Sánchez making the goals. Having made it this far, the ladies did not let anyone down by once again defeating Lakeside in the 24th, and then following through to beat La Canada on the 26th in the quarter finals of CIF Division 4. Senior Kelsey Shilling adds, “I am stoked that the girls team has come such a long way in C.I.F. It was a team effort, but I have to agree with Leana that if it weren’t for the amazing seniors of ’09, El Segundo’s girls’ soccer would not be what it is today. I think we have everything it takes to win it all. There are no regrets other than losing to South Torrance the first time. It’s been a blast being a part of girls varsity soccer. We are all like sisters and all we want is to win C.I.F. for Juan, the seniors, and all the girls involved in girls soccer.” The ladies made it to the semi-finals; the results of their last game were unavailable when this article was written, but congratulations to the Varsity Eagles for making us proud. As senior Camille Kuebler says, “This year girls’ soccer has gone farther in C.I.F. than ever before. We have worked well together as a team, and just need to keep up the intensity through the last minutes of the game.” We hope you make it to finals.

	Girls Water Polo	Boys Basketball	Girls Basketball	Boys Soccer	Girls Soccer
Record	13-14	10-17	6-19	3-16	19-4-1
Recent Score	Sonora 5-6 Loss	Laguna Bch 43-56 Loss	Lutheran 46-73 Loss	Centennial 2-4 Loss	La Canada 2-0 Win
Next Game	Season Over	Season Over	Season Over	Season Over	In CIF

Featured Athletes:

Brandon Jawato

Mika Hongo