Varsity Basketball Championships

Eagle boys triumph over Knights, 42-31

The Christian Learning boys basketball continued to build its legend as it won its third consecutive championship and completed a second straight undefeated season with a 42-31 victory over Cambridge before a home gymnasium packed with enthusiastic adherents of both teams Thursday evening.

The Eagles overcame a Knight team that had done everything it could to try to derail their success. The Knights had been practicing daily at 6 a.m to prepare, and brought a huge contingent of students and parents equipped with a drum and a siren.

But the Eagles yielded nothing in determination -- or showmanship. They galloped into the gymnasium led by their mascots, two acrobatic students dressed as Woody Woodpecker and Daffy Duck, while their fans filled the gym with cheers and the rattattat of plastic bottles being whacked on metal railings.

As the din slightly subsided a teacher and coach from the Cooperative who was there as an interested observer commented, "This is what basketball is supposed to be."

The din continued as the two teams battled evenly through the first quarter, which ended with Cambridge narrowly in front, 9-8. Alvaro Lopez and Jose Luis Rivera accounted for the Cambridge scoring, mostly on driving lay-ups. Christian Learning had baskets by four different players.

Cambridge briefly widened its lead to 11-8 on a long set shot by Rivera at the start of the second quarter, before the Eagles struck back with a vengeance. They would run off eleven unanswered points, and ultimately outscore the Knights 18-4 in the quarter.

The onslaught started with a swished three-pointer from the far corner by Caleb Hoover, and was followed by baskets from Paul Estes, Jesse Hallock, Andre Larsen, and then four points by Josh Hoover on a field goal and two foul shots. this was followed by two more baskets by Andre Larsen.

The Eagles combined great shooting with rebounding dominance, and when the smoke cleared they had the 13-point lead that they would retain for almost the entire remainder of the game.

The two teams fought to a draw in the third quarter, with the Eagles retaining their 13-point lead, 32-19.

The Knights, egged on by their unrelentingly raucous cheering section, sought desperately for some combination that would enable them to claw their way back into contention, but couldn't find the range from Three Point Land, and found the flak from the Eagle defense to be as intense as ever when they tried to storm their way to the basket.

The Eagles threatened to run away with the game in the fourth quarter as they stretched their lead to 38-19.

First they worked the ball inside with a series of brilliant quick passes that got the ball to Andrew Burgin alone under the basket for two points.

Then Danny Canaviri, who was playing the game with a fever, hit two foul shots, and followed those up with two beautifully arced pull-up jump shot that hit nothing but net.

But meanwhile Rivera steadied Cambridge by swishing in an artful lay-up and a three-pointer. Further Cambridge scores by Matias Martinez and Lopez, together with another confounding lay-up by Rivera finally enabled Cambridge to cut into the Christian Learning lead, which was down to ten points, 40-30, with three minutes to go.

From that point on, though, the defenses of both teams took control. The only remaining scoring consisted of two foul shots by Estes for the Eagles, and one by Lopez for Cambridge.

After the game, the Eagles then got their trophy and took their victory lap around the gym, but both teams and their fans seemed elated in the aftermath by what had been a well played, hard-fought contest that had provided a high-speed flow of exciting action.

Players and fans milled and mixed together around the gym floor in an elevated mood as parents snapped pictures of the teams, and individual players posed with their families.

The mood of the Cambridge fans was "Wait 'til next year." For the Christian learning crowd it was, "Catch us if you can."

In Friday's game the Eagles proved the observation once made by a rival coach: "They're tough because they have so many different ways they can hurt you." Christian Learning got points from seven different players, who often scored in spurts, then let a teammate renew the attack while a confused Knight defense tried to figure who or what was going to hit them next.

Caleb Hoover, for example, got his five points on two shots, one at the close of the first quarter, and the other at the opening of the second. His brother, Josh, ran off five in a row during the second quarter explosion, personally changing the score from 17-11 to 22-13, and thereby single-handedly suppressing Cambridge's hopes for an immediate comeback.

Danny Canaviri scored six in a row (out of his total of nine) in the fourth quarter when Cambridge was finally getting a counterattack unpacked.

Canaviri was one of three Eagle players suffering from fever and other flu-like symptoms. One of them, senior starter , Tim Zimmerman, did not dress in uniform for the game, and watched from the bench.

Cambridge's scoring depended almost entirely on the athletic derring-do by Rivera, who scored 17 points, and team captain Alvaro Lopez, who scored ten. Fabricio Subirana and Matias Martinez had two points each for Cambridge. Rivera was brilliant on fast breaks and broken field runs through the Eagle defense, but only hit one three-pointer, which was below his season average.

Looking ahead to next year, Christian Learning will lose through graduation or transfer Canaviri, Zimmerman, Estes, and the Hoover brothers. Cambridge will lose four of its five starters, but Rivera should be back. Both teams will be welcoming new members from their strong junior varsity teams of this year.

Jaguar girls dominate Lady Eagles, 34-13

The Cooperative girls varsity basketball team won its second consecutive championship and completed an undefeated season with a decisive 34-13 victory over Christian Learning Thursday in the championship game at the Christian Learning gym.

The Eagle girls fought hard and managed to keep the game competitive through the first quarter, at the conclusion of which Cooperative led 5-2.

A couple of foul shots by Abby Phillips at the start of the second quarter made it 5-4, and it looked as if the game might remain close. The Eagles were playing intense defense and doing a particularly good job of preventing Cooperative from using its favorite tactic of floating high passes to its two big forwards, Carla Limpias and Ana Paula Peredo.

But Peredo then showed she could hit from outside hitting two buckets from outside the foul stripe. Cecelia Aponte, the lone senior on the Jaguar team, and Aldana Roda both hit field goals. By halftime the Jaguars were in charge 17-8.

In the third quarter Jaguar guard Sofia Sotelo went on a scoring spree, hitting for nine points, seven of them in a row. Aponte and Tania Landivar also scored, opening up a 30-10 advantage for the Jaguars at the end of the quarter. Mariela Salinas accounted for the Eagles only basket with a nicely executed set shot from mid-range.

Cooperative essentially coasted in from there, scoring four more points in the final quarter on baskets by Limpias and Aponte.

Christian Learning senior Kaylynn Lampen did give the Christian Learning fans a final thrill as she concluded her high school basketball career with one of her famed rainbow three-pointers.

For Cooperative, Sotelo was high point woman with 11 points. Limpias, Peredo and Aponte each notched six, Aldana Roda had three, and Tania Landivar two.

There is no relief in sight for Jaguar opponents. All of the players on this year's team should be back next year except Aponte, who graduates. Next year's team will have the services of Giovanna Varalta, a slick player who was sidelined this year by a foot operation.

For Christian Learning, Kaylynn Lampen had seven points, while Abby Phillips, Erica Kienzle, and Mariela Salinas had two points each. The Lady Eagles will lose through graduation Lampen, Kienzle, Ruth Nyquist. and several key substitutes, but will be welcoming back Tabitha Malloy, their star starting center a year ago, who is returning from the United States.

Varsity Basketball Consolation Games

Lady Knights beat Griffins by one point

By Daniel Roempler

International School

The varsity girls consolation game between Cambridge and International Thursday presented a truly epic encounter worthy of a final. In one of the most hard battled games of the season, the Knights managed a miraculous comeback and scored the winning point three seconds before the end of the game to end up in third place after scoring the winning point 3 seconds before the end of the game.

The Knights were the first to score, and it seemed as if the Griffins might still be reeling from their emotionally exhausting two-point loss in Tuesday's semifinals. However, the Griffins soon got themselves back on their feet and were able to open a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 4-2.

The second quarter highlighted the Griffins renewed spirit. Laura Maragaño was able to shatter the Cambridge defense. She commanded a series of attacks that resulted in an eight-point lead for her team by the end of the quarter, 10-2, and the Griffins seemed to be in complete control of the game as they were exhibiting a well-organized team play offensively and defensively.

However sport has shown us repeatedly that nothing is settled until the final whistle is blown, and we were able to witness this again Thursday.

The International coach, Eduardo "Presi" de la Riva, seemed to feel that the game was safely in hand, and decided to take out his entire starting team and give his junior varsity players a taste of action the big leagues.

However, it took almost no time at all to show that the young Griffins were suffering from high anxiety, and this began to tell on the scoreboard. Cambridge took advantage of their opportunity and engineered a dramatic comeback featuring three three-point shots by Maira Lino, to make the score 14-10 in favor of Cambridge at the end of the third quarter.

De la Riva switched teams once again for the final quarter, and both teams battled with heart and passion to end up tied 16-16 as the game entered its last minute. The entire Christian Learning gym exploded as the crowd was not able to resist the tension and excitement as both teams missed several golden opportunities to score. An unlucky foul committed by International with three seconds on the clock gave Sehee Cho two foul shots. She made one to end the game 17-16 in favor of the Knights.

Cambridge's Lino was her team's leading scorer with 10 points, including a season-high three three-pointers. Cho had five, and Melanie Andia two.

Griffin Maragaño was the leading scorer in the game with 12 points. Adiana Ocampo added four.

Both teams will have most of their key players back next year, though Mariana Escaño, who was injured for the playoff tournament, will graduate. For Cambridge, much will depend on how fast its younger players develop. Three seventh graders -- Josefina Rodriguez, Mako Ueno, and Nicole Fermin have played extensively for the varsity this year, and had key roles in the Knights two varsity victories, both over International..

Jaguar boys cruise against Griffins, 33-11

By Daniel Roempler

International School

The Cooperative boys varsity basketball team seized third place by overshadowing an enthusiastic International team that ended the season without tasting victory.

The final score of the consolation game played at Christian Ledarning Thursday was 33-11.

The Jaguars orchestrated a well-organized game plan that neutralized all Griffin attempts to break open their lines.

The first quarter showed two teams fighting neck-and-neck for the bronze medals. They managed to score a basket each, and entered the second quarter tied 2-2.

The Griffins, however, lacked the stamina to stay on that pace, and began to fall behind a Cooperative team that seemed to tighten up its defense, while tuning up its attack to gain a lead of 15-4 at the end of the first half.

The latter half of the match enabled the Jaguars to more than double their first half scoring. An energetic and precise Milan Marinkovic dazzled the Griffins repeatedly throughout the match, and particularly in the second half, in which he scored nine of his eleven points.

Despite the consistent enthusiasm displayed by the International team that is clearly in a rebuilding stage, the Jaguars managed to outplay them fair and square to finish the game with a 33-11 win, and celebrate a well deserved third place finish.

Marinkovic was the leading scorer in the game with 11 points. Andres Shin had eight; Nicolas Suarez had five;, Luis Peredo three; Jose Mozza and Josue Abuawad had two points each. Suarez and Peredo each had a three-pointer.

For International, Gary Suarez had six points, Francisco Gonzales two and Felipe Molina three.

Cooperative's main loss by graduation or transfer will be Marinkovic, but the Jaguars will be welcoming back Juan Alfredo Abuawad, a star from past seasons who has been on an exchange program in the US.

Winless International will have many of its players back, but will still be looking for a player, or players, with a knack for putting the ball through the hoop.

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Recount gives Jaguar Boys Track Trophy

A recount of the results from this year's track season showed that the Cooperative boys track team won a narrow victory in the overall point totals and won the championship, not the International boys as had been announced at the track championships last Friday. The discrepancy occurred because an incorrect number was used from the point totals for the first meet of the season. The trophy of the League Championship will be formally presented again to Cooperative during the award ceremonies at Thursday's varsity basketball championships, to be held at Christian Learning. The story of the track meet is being altered to reflect the revised results. Stay tuned.

Varsity Girls Basketball Playoff Semifinals

PRAYERS UNANSWERED

-- With the scoreboard showing 12-11 and time running out, Griffin bench seems to be praying for the winning shot (below). With seconds to go Matilde Gamarra (11) got a last chance, but Kaylynn Lampen (14) said, "No." (at right)

Jonatan Munoz, International

Eagles barely get past Griffins, 13-11

The Christian Learning girls varsity basketball team hung on to gain a 13-11 victory over an energized Griffin team Tuesday in the Christian Learning gym.

The win puts the Eagles into the championship game Thursday against Cooperative, but it was not a pretty victory. The International girls will play Cambridge in the consolation game for third place.

The two teams had each won one of the regular season match-ups , but International's had come in a double-overtime game in which the Eagles' seniors had been away on a trip.

The Eagles had moved out to an 8-5 lead in the first quarter. International's first three points ts came on a three-pointer by Matilde Gamarra, the only three-point shot in the game.

At that point in the game defenses seemed to take control of the game. The second quarter was scoreless, and the third quarter a low-scoring draw, with each team scoring four points, making the score 12-9 in favor of the Eagles.

The only shots that counted in the fourth quarter were foul shots. The Griffins made two, bringing the score to 12-11 for the Eagles. The Eagles then made one to bring the final score to 13-11. Each team missed numerous other opportunities to score. International made only two of its seven free throw opportunities in the game.

For Christian Learning, Kaylynn Lampen had six points, all in the first quarter. Ruth Nyquist, Abby Phillips, and JiHea An had two points each, and Jessica Smith had one.

For International, Matilde Gamarra had three points on a three-pointer to start International's scoring. Laura Maragano also had three points. Natalia Suarez and Adriana Ocampo each had two points, and Camila Johnson had one.

Michel Pedrazas of International contributed to this report.

Jaguars easily outpace Knights 37-9

The undefeated Cooperative girls varsity basketball team moved a step closer to winning its second straight basketball championship as it defeated Cambridge 37-9 on their home court Tuesday.

The Jaguars will now face Christian Learning in the championship game Thursday. Cambridge will play International.

__________

LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT --Knight Mako Ueno tries to find a way past Jaguar defenders Tania Landivar and Sofia Sotelo.

Juan Carlos Coronel, Cambridge

__________

Cambridge had given Cooperative its only tough game this season in their previous meeting, a low-scoring affair the Jaguars hung on to win 13-9, and it looked for a while as if Cambridge might really test the Jaguars again. The Jaguars led by only 4-0 at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Jaguars exploded for 18 points in the second quarter, and were clearly in charge by halftime, 22-2.

They fattened their lead in the third quarter to 35-8. Both teams substituted freely in the fourth quarter in which Cooperative had a field goal and Cambridge made a foul shot.

Sehee Cho had five points for Cambridge. Nadia Rocco had two. Melanie Andia and Maira Lino each had one.

Varsity Boys Basketball Playoff Semi-finals

FINDING THE PATH -- Knight star Jose Luis Rivera looks for an open way to the basket. (He found it.)

Juan Carlos Coronel, Cambridge

Knights defeat improved Jaguars 57-24

By Claudia Hennessy

Cambridge College

Cambridge boys’ varsity team showed they were readier than ever to move on to finals with a 57-22 victory over Cooperative in the Jaguars home gym Tuesday.

The game was played with great energy and efficiency by the Knights, while there was not much teamwork by the Jaguars

The game actually got ofdf to a bad start for the Knights, who controlled the opening tipoff, but then missed a breakaway lay-up and two point blank rebounds, all within the first ten seconds of the game. But then they seemed to find their rhythm and began dominating the game. By the end of the first quarter Cambridge was leading 11-5.

On the second quarter Cambridge boys had no problem thrashing Cooperative boys. Jose Luis Rivera registered two three-pointers, and despite the Jaguars’ aggressive defensive play, swift Knights closed the second quarter 29-9.

On the third quarter Cooperative boys seemed to pick up the pace and performed excellent long passes. Their scoring was held down mainly by the rebounding dominance of Jaguar Milan Marinkovic. But Cambridge's fast action and tenacious defense paid off , and the third quarter ended with the Knights in front 48-10.

An intense fourth quarter was marked by frequent fouls and missed free-throws from both teams.

Cooperative looked at the game's start to be somewhat rejuvenated. Marinkovic, who had been the team's high-scorer early in the season before being sidelined with tendinitis was back, as was Nicolas Suarez, who had been academically ineligible, and Jose Mozza, who missed most of the season after a bout of dengue.

But the Jaguars looked tired and down-hearted at the end, particularly when Cambridge substituteFernando Moscoso stole the ball and raced down court to score just before the final buzzer sounded.

Jaguar’s Coach Max Farfan held: “There are many problems in the school. When a student is flunking a subject he can’t come to practice and when he flunks two, he can’t play. I haven’t trained for two weeks now and I didn’t expect to win. Cambridge has a team with talented and excellent players, while Cooperative does not. We are far from being the champions but I expect a third place at least. We will play far better next year. We do what we can.”

For Cambridge, Jose Luis Rivera had 27 points, Alvaro Lopez had 12; Matias Martinez and Tae Han Kook both had six; Gabriel Alonso had four; Fabricio Subirana and Fernando Moscoso had two each.
For Cooperative, Milan Marinkovic had 12 points, Andres Shin had 4; Nicolas Suarez and Luis Peredo both had three.

PULLING IT DOWN -- Eagle Caleb Hoover (23) beats two Griffins for a rebound. Jesse Hallock (11) prepares to give aid. Ruth Nyquist, Christian Learning

Eagles easily outpoint Griffins, 43-5

The Christian Learning boys varsity basketball team was not seriously challenged by International in its semi-final game, winning 43-6 on their home court Tuesday.

The stage was thus set for Thursday's championship game between Christian Learning and Cambridge, the only team that has come close to giving the Eagles a hard time during this season. Specifically, the Knights are the only team that has been ahead of the Eagles after the opening baskets this year. Cambridge actually led for a while in the fourth quarter of the most recent game between the teams before finally losing by six points, 45-39. Cambridge is also the last team to beat the Eagles but that was back in 2008.

The Eagles made short work of the Griffins in the semifinal game, jumping out to a 14-2 lead in the first quarter, and then widening that to 29-5 at halftime. The Eagles then slowed the pace in the second half, adding only fourteen more points, but they continued play tough on defense, holding the Griffins scoreless.

The Eagles sprad the scoring around, getting baskets from eight players. Jesse Hallock led the Eagles with 11 points. Josh Hoover had eight, including a three-pointer. Caleb Hoover, Paul Estes and Andrew Burgin each had six. Andre Larsen had three; Nick Smith two and Tim Zimmerman one.

For International, Francisco Gonzales had four and Felipe Molina had one.

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SCISL Track and Field Championships

WHAT GOES UP -- High jump gold medalist Milan Marinkovic looks like he's on top of the world (above), but the Jaguar's crash landings on the far corner of the landing pad (right) were as spectacular as his rocket take-offs.

Julia Boldt, Cambridge

Griffin girls, Jaguar boys victorious

The Internmational girls track and field team again proved indomitable once again, but the Cooperative boys deposed the International boys from their accustomed spot atop the standings for the League championship after last Friday's SCISL Track and Field Championships.

It was the first time that the Jaguar boys had won since 2006, and only the second time in the six-year history of the League that the International boys had not brought home the championship trophy. (Actually they did bring it home because due to a mistake in scoring they were awarded the trophy at the end of Friday's meet -- but they have to bring it back. It will be presented -- again -- to Cooperative during the awards presentation at the Basketball championships Thursday at Christian Learning.)

Under the complex scoring system used by the League to calculate the championships, in which the points from the first meet of the season are combined with the points from the championship meet, the International girls came out way on top. In the corrected figures, the Griffin girls amassed 282 points, way ahead of second place Christian Learning, which had 154. Cooperative girls had 127, and Cambridge girls trailed with 32.

The International girls won both meets handily.

The revised combined results for the boys show Cooperative on top with 207 points, followed by International with 198; Christian Learning with 186; and Cambridge with 52.

If the championship meet last Friday were scored by itself (and no awards are given for that), International was the victor in both boys and girls. (The figures for the championship meet were correct in the original reports of the meet last week, and have not changed.)

For the girls, looking at the championship meet alone, International had 134 points. Christian Learning was second with 90 points, Cooperative third with 73 points, and Cambridge fourth with 16 points.

And for the boys, again considering the championship meet by itself, International had 119 points: Cooperative had had 97; Christian Learning had 81; and Cambridge had 24.

(The results of the first meet are posted on this website. Go to the search box and search for "Jaguar Boys, Griffin Girls Triumph.")

Eight League records were broken or tied Friday on an ideal afternoon for a track meet with clear skies, little wind, and moderate temperatures. (The League records posted at right will be updated this week.)

Canaviri leads record-breaker brigade

Danny Canaviri of Christian Learning broke the oldest record on the books in the boys 1500 meters. He finished in a time of 4:46.36, knocking almost two seconds off the record set by Facundo Lay of Cooperative that had stood since 2006, and had never even been closely approached.

Abby Phillips of Christian Learning, who took home three gold medals from the meet, knocked almost as much time off the record for the 400, which she had set in this year's first meet. She was clocked at 1:03.59. She tied a League record with a leap of 1.40 meters which Florencia Sosa of Interantional had set several times. Sosa finished second Friday.

Jorge Harriague of International chipped a few tenths off the record he had set in 2007 with a time of :11.51 in the 100 meters, then swept the sprint events by also winning the 200 meters, again beating his own record set back in 2007.

Griffin Beatriz Nallar won the girls discus with a record heave of 21.64 meters. She too put in a good day at the office, winning the shot put and placing second in the 800.

In the boys high jump Cooperative's Milan Marinkovic tied the record of 1.70 meters set last year by International's Nicolas Bedoya.

In the girls high jump, Abby Phillips of Christian Learning tied a mark that had been set several times by Florencia Sosa 0f International, by clearing the bar at 1.40 met5ers.

In the boys 4 x 400 relay the Christian Learning team of Canaviri, Mark Salinas, Andre Larsen and Jesse Hallock lowered the record they had set in the first meet with a time of 3:54.76.

Harriague, Phillips ignite spectators

The two most electrifying moments in the meet were the relay anchor legs by Harriague and Phillips. Harriague stormed down the home stretch in the boys 4 x 100 to make up a deficit of perhaps ten meters and cross the finish line first. Phillips did much the same in somewhat more elegant fashion as she caught up about a quarter lap doing the last leg of the girls 4 x 400.

Sofia Sotelo of Cooperative continued her dominance of the distance events, posting near-record times in winning both the 1500 and 800.

Notwithstanding the scoring mix-up, the meet was the best organized in League history, starting and finishing on time. A large squads of eager student volunteers from International recruited by Griffin athletic director Eli Vilar, and operating under the direction of meet director Andrew Bloomfield of Christian Learning, hustled the results to the central desk, prepared the medals and trophies, and generally kept things running smoothly. Griffin basketball coach Eduardo "Presi" de la Riva was superb as the announcer, and the staff of starters and officials performed flawlessly.

The full results of the meet were as follows:

Girls 1500 meters -- Sofia Sotelo, Cooperative; Florencia Sosa, International; Deborah Bernardes, Cooperative (Winning time 5:36.88)

Boys 1500 meters -- Danny Canaviri, Christian Learning; Daniel Roempler International; Alexander Nagel, Cambridge (4:46.36).

Girls 100 meters -- Maria Victoria Gutierrez, International; Mariela Salinas, Christian Learning; Natalia Davila, International (:14.49)

Boys 100 meters -- Jorge Harriague, International; Renzo Pinto, Cooperative; Mauricio Nostas, International (:11.51)

Girls 400 meters -- Abby Phillips, Christian Learning; Carmen Mansur, International; Natalia Davila, International (1:03.59).

Boys 400 meters -- Andres Percy MacLean, International; Cristian Coronado, International; Andre Larsen, Christian Learning (:58.66)

Girls 200 meters -- Mariela Salinas, Chrsitian Learning; Laura Maragaño, International; Maria Victoria Gutierrez, International (:30.71)

Boys 200 meters -- Jarge Harriague, International; Renzo Pinto, Cooperative; Andres Estenssoro, International (:23.61)

Girls 800 meters -- Sofia Sotelo, Cooperative; Beatriz Nallar, International; Jessica Smith, Christian Learning (2:41.20)

Boys 800 meters -- Mark Salinas, Christian Learning; Alejandro Rios, International; Daniel Roempler, International. (2:25.29)

Girls 4 x 100 relay -- International (Flavia Nostas, Maria Victoria Gutierrez, Laura Maragaño, Natalia Davila), Christian Learning (1:00.21) Cooperative was disqualified.

4 x 100 boys relay -- International (Jorge Harriague, Cristan Coronado, Andres Estenssoro, Mauricio Nostas); Cooperative, Christian Learning. (:48.55)

Girls 4 x 400 relay -- Christian Learning (Jessica Smith, Sharon Gabler, Mariela Salinas, and Abby Phillips); International, Cooperative (4:57.93)

Boys 4 x 400 relay -- Christian Learning (Jesse Hallock, Andre Larsen, Mark Salinas, Danny Canaviri); International; Cooperative (3:54.76)

Girls shot put -- Beatriz Nallar, International; Aldana Roda, Cooperative; Jessica Smith, Christian Learning (8.61 meters)

Boys shot put -- Jorge Harriague, International; Mauricio Nostas, International; Sebastian Kyllman, Cooperative (12.70 meters)

Girls discus -- Beatriz Nallar, International; Aldana Roda, Cooperative; Carmen Mansur, International (21.64 meters)

Boys discus -- Nicolas Smith, Christian Learning; Sebastian Kyllman, Cooperative; Andres Shin, Cooperative (26.70 meters)

Girls long jump -- Laura Maragaño, International; Nabila Farah, Cooperative; Florencia Sosa, International (4.12 meters)

Boys long jump -- Hyun Kim, Cooperative; Milan Marinkovic, Cooperative; Andre Larsen, Christian Learning (5.32 meters)

Girls high jump -- Abby Phillips, Christian Learning; Florencia Sosa, International; Flavia Nostas, International (1.40 meters)

Boys high jump -- Milan Marinkovic, Cooperative; Danny Canaviri, Christian Learning; Tae Han Kook, Cambridge (1.70 meters)

JV Basketball Championship Games

Cambridge Boys Triumph over Eagles

The Cambridge boys junior varsity basketball team won the SCISL League JV Championship and completed its second consecutive undefeated season with a 32-26 victory over a Christian Learning team that never gave up.

The championship game played before a large crowd in the Christian Learning gym Thursday evening was fast-paced, well played, and extremely competitive. The game ended with Eagle Richard Enns stealing the ball from Cambridge star Jose Luis Rivero, and scampering down court to almost score as the buzzer sounded.

In a way that play was a metaphor for the entire game for the Eagles -- close, but no cigar.

The Little Eagles were clearly thinking upset as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the start of the game, and were leading 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Eagles could have been further ahead because Cambridge was in foul trouble early, and by the halfway point every Cambridge foul became a shooting opportunity for the Eagles, who made three of their eight opportunities from the freethrow line.

Cambridge, which had won the two previous meetings between the two teams this year handily, seemed to recover its equilibrium in the second quarter, and fashioned the seven-point lead that it would basically hold for the rest of the game.

Gabriel Alonso sparked the Cambridge offensive with a three-pointer right after the quarter started, to which he added a two-pointer shortly thereafter. Rivero then converted a three-point play on which he scored on a lay-up, was fouled, and made the foul shot. This put the Knights on top 14-7.

But the Eagles urged, on by their large band of faithful fans whose battle cry was "Keep It Close," proceeded to do just that. The two teams traded baskets until the half, at which point Cambridge led 18-11.

The second half was more hammer and tongs warfare, but Cambridge kept its lead. The Knights were ahead 27-20 at the end of the third quarter.

The Eagles continued to suffer from their inability to take better advantage of their freethrow opportunities. In the third quarter they converted five of 15 freethrow opportunities. Cambridge made its lone opportunity.

Christian Learning also had the chance to take advantage of the fact that Rivero was a rare off-night shooting, and never did find the range from three-point land, missing all of his half dozen or so tries. However, he was able to drive to the basket successfully several times, picking up up a number of fouls in the process, and he dominated the rebounding in the game.

In the final stanza Cambridge basically maintained a six-or seven-point advantage until Eagle star Cesar Flores hit on a driving lay-up to cut the Cambridge advantage to five points at 30-25 with about three minutes remaining.

But that would prove to be the high-water mark for the Christian Learning effort as the two teams slugged it out in the final minutes, receiving a standing ovation at the end that seemed intended as a tribute to both the winners and losers in this hard-fought contest.

Scoring summary to come (probably Saturday).

Eagle Girls Edge Griffins on Late Basket

In one of the most intense games in recent memory, the Christian Learning girls junior varsity basketball team overcame an inspired effort by International to win the game 11-9 and take home the first-place medals and trophy in a game played at Christian Learning Thursday.

The game was knotted at 9-9 with two minutes to go, at which point Naomi Canaviri sank what proved to be the winning basket for the Eagles, though the Griffins got several opportunities to even the score in the remaining 120 seconds.

Undefeated Christian Learning had prevailed in the teams' two regular season meetings, though it had been severely tested by International in their first meeting, which ended as a 16-14 win for the Eagles. But both teams clearly came to this championship showdown loaded for bear.

Both had the full and enthusiastic complement of twelve players in uniform, and both had large contingents of parents and students in the stands. Indeed, in a rare occurrence the International adherents for a long while seemed able to outshout the Eagle adherents with their chant of "Let's go, Gree-feens."

The Cambridge Learning fans seemed slightly shocked when the first quarter gave a clear preview that this game was going to be a real dogfight. The Eagles, who had never scored less than 00 points in a game, found themselves at the end of that quarter locked in a a 2-2 tie.

While both teams were clearly suffering from "big game jitters," and were having trouble getting their offenses unpacked, it was also clear that both teams were going to be ferocious on defense. If many shots were missed, it was often because defenders forced the shoot before aiming.

The second quarter was hardly more productive than the first, and at halftime the Eagles owned a one-point lead, 4-3.

They kept that through the third quarter, at the end of which the score was 8-7 in favor of the Eagles.

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THE VICTORS --

Eagle girls with their trophy

Jonatan Muñoz, International

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In the fourth quarter Eagle Ester Chun made one of her two free throw opportunities to make the score 9-7 in favor of Christian Learning. But then Griffin standout Fabiana Zelada promptly tied it at 9-9 with a breakaway lay-up. And thus the stage was set for Canaviri's basket.

But before the buzzer sounded Zelada, Antonia Maggi, and Renata Maggi would all get loose for opportunities for International that looked like they were going to be sure-fire scores, but which missed the mark to the clearly expressed shock and disappointment of the International faithful. It seemed as if there were more clear shots in the final two minutes than there had been all game.

Scoring summary to come (probably Saturday).

JV Basketball Consolation Games

Jaguar boys defeat Griffins 19-5

The Cooperative boys junior varsity basketball team engineered a efficient, workmanlike 19-5 victory over International in the consolation game for third place played at Christian Learning Thursday.

The Griffins simply did not have the offensive capability to keep pace with the Jaguars, who led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter, and 8-0 at the half.

Cooperative stretched its lead to 13-3 at the end of the third quarter.

COMING THROUGH -- Jaguar Geraldine Milos (with ball) drives past Cambridge defender Vera de la Fuente, with Nako Ueno in hot pursuit. Julia Boldt, Cambridge

Jaguar girls squeak by Knights 10-9

The Cooperative girls junior varsity girls basketball team squeezed out a one foul shot victory over Cambridge, 10-9, to win bragging rights to third place in a game played Thursday at Christian Learning.

The Little Jaguars, who had not won a game all season, got out front early in what was destined to be a hard-fought defensive contest. They led 2-0 after the first quarter and 5-2 at the half. The third quarter was scoreless.

But in the fourth quarter Knight Josi Rodriguez went on a one-girl rampage, scoring three neatly executed lay-up baskets, after which Cambridge was in front, 8-7.

Cooperative worked its way back in front 9-8 on two foul shots made by Geraldine Milos.

All of Cooperative's five fourth quarter points came on foul shots. The Jaguars got 16 trips to the foul line in the quarter, aided by the fact that halfway through the period Cambridge went over the foul limit and after than every Cambridge foul was a scoring opportunity for Cooperative. Cambridge got four free throw opportunities in the quarter.

The last several minutes of play consisted of consecutive processions up-and-down the court for foul shots.

Cambridge tied the game when Amaya Yañez made one of her chances, but Cooperative got its winning margin when Giuliana Varalta made good on one of her two tries.

JV Boys Basketball Semi-finals

STOP THAT LITTLE GUY -- Pint-sized Griffin star Danny Hanley (6) gets a step ahead of Knight Paul Blades (10).

Julia Boldt, Cambridge

Knight JV overwhelms Griffins 52-6

The undefeated Cambridge junior varsity boys basketball team turned in a polished performance in winning its semifinal game against International 52-6 in their home gym Tuesday afternoon.

The Knights will now play Christian Learning in the championship game Thursday at Christian Learning. (See full tournament schedule at right.)

Cambridge jumped out to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter based on sharp shooting, adroit ball-handling, and agile defense.

They then played under wraps for the next two quarters, during which all the substitutes on both teams got plenty of playing time. But still the Cambridge lead expanded, reaching 22-1 at the half.

The Knights could seemingly do no wrong. In the second half, diminutive fifth grader Nando Boller, the smallest player on the court save one and getting a rare opportunity to play, hit for two quick baskets in a row. By the end of the third quarter Cambridge had extended its lead to 28-3.

Midway through the final quarter the Cambridge starters were allowed back into the game, apparently with instructions to shoot only from outside the three-point line.

If this was intended as a device to avoid running up the score, it didn't work. Cambridge hit six three-pointers in the final minutes, by three different players. Its lead exploded, ultimately reaching 52-6.

Gabriel Alonso led the Cambridge scoring with 18 points. Jose Luis Rivero had 13, Andres Hurtado 11. Juan Carlos Paniagua and Nando Boller each had four, and Gustavo Roca two. Rivero and Hurtado each had three three-pointers in the game; Alonso had two. Cambridge's eight three-pointers were almost certainly a record for the shadowy Cambridge gym, usually considered a nightmare for outside shooters.

Danny Hanley turned in another plucky performance for the Griffins, garnering four points. Alexander Forbes and Jose Colomo each had a point.

Little Eagles defeat Jaguars, 42-13

The Christian Learning boys junior varsity basketball team easily passed its semi-final test against Cooperative, winning 42-13 in their home gym Tuesday. The Eagles now advance to the championship game against Cambridge Thursday, again in the Christian Learning gym. (See schedule at right.)

The Eagles led 10-0 after the first quarter and 17-7 at the half. They then broke the game wide open with 13 unanswered points in the third quarter.

Cesar Flores led the scoring for Christian Learning with 13 points, followed by Josiah Canaviri with nine, Haziel Martinez with eight, Esteban de Sosa with six, Richard Enns with four, and Luke Phillips with two.

One key to the Eagle victory was that the Eagles held Cooperative's Josue Abuawad to two points, well below his accustomed scoring total. Abuawad was more of a factor on defense, deflecting Eagle shots and grabbing rebounds, thereby cutting the Eagle point total by 15 or more points.

Seventh grader Luis Peredo led the Jaguar scorers with three points on a three-pointer to start the Jaguars' scoring in the second quarter. Rodrigo Adriazola, Alkejandro Rosas, Fernando Antelo, and Giorgio Rodrigano each scored two points for the Jaguars.

Keith Wilcke of Christian Learning and Alvaro Ludueña of Cooperative provided the information for this report.

JV Girls Basketball Semifinals

STOP THAT SHOT -- Knight Vera de la Fuente (5) loads up to shoot while three Griffins rush to stop her.

Julia Boldt, Cambridge

Griffinettes squeak past Knight girls, 13-12

The International girls junior varsity girls basketball team fought its way into the championship game with a razor-thin 13-12 victory over a scrappy, upset-minded Cambridge team in the Cambridge gym Tuesday.

The Griffins now face Christian Learning in the championship game Thursday in the Christian Learning gym. (See schedule at right.)

The Griffins were the favored team based on having won both of the regular season meetings between the teams, though the second game against Cambridge had been close until the end. In this game they battled evenly right from the start.

The game was tied 4-4 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter the Griffins worked their way to a 7-6 lead, which widened to 9-6 on a basket by Renata Maggi right before the half.

International pushed its advantage to four points in the third quarter, 11-7.

But then Cambridge, egged on by a rabid, raucous home crowd, struck back. Field goals by Vera de la Fuente and Nicole Fermin, plus a foul shot by Fermin, brought the game to a 12-12 tie with about three minutes to go.

Fabiana Zelada got the Griffins narrowly back on top when she made one of two foul shots with 1:24 to go, but there was plenty of action yet to come.

The small but vocal International rooting section must have had their hearts in the mouths as Amaya Yañez stole a pass and went in for an uncontested lay-up with 24 seconds to go. She seemed to do everything right. The ball hovered on the rim -- but did not drop in.

Maggi and Fabian Zelada each had six points for International, and Carolina Zelada had one.

For Cambridge, de la Fuente had six points, Fermin four, and Josephina Rodriguez two.

Eaglettes easy winners over Jaguars, 22-11

The undefeated Christian Learning girls basketball team bought its ticket to the championship game with a 22-11 victory over Cooperative in a semi-final played in their home gym Tuesday.

The Eagles will face International, who they have defeated twice this year, in the championship game Thursday. (See schedule at right.)

The Eagle girls led 6-2 at the end of the first quarter, and 10-2 at the half. At the end of the third quarter the score was 18-7.

Rebekah Kienzle of Christian Learning led all scorers with 12 points. Isabel Diaz added six. HaEun Lee and Naomi Canaviri had a basket each.

For Cooperative, Geraldine Milos had four points; Giuliana Varalta had three. Jessica Maureira and Marcella Netzlaff each had two points.

Keith Wilcke of Christian Learning and Alvaro Ludueña of Cooperative provided the information for this report.