After a short break to open presents and eat lots of Holiday dinners, high school sports returned with a full slate of games this week.
The Los Al Boys Basketball team returned to action with a 78-53 win over Woodbridge High School in the Tustin Classic which the OC Register notes “might be the best local tournament of the week” The 16-team tournament boasts 13 of the county’s top teams.
The Griffins took control of the game early, outscoring Woodbridge 14-9 in the first quarter, and 37-18 at halftime. The Griffins were led by Rex Komatz with 13 points.
Los Al, which improved its record to 10-4, plays Esperanza today at 3pm. The Aztecs fell to Calvary Chapel in the first round Monday, but moved on to the quarterfinals after Covid protocols forced Trabuco Hills to withdraw and tourney officials to make changes in the schedule.
Woodbridge dropped to 6-8.
The Griffins were ranked at No. 16 in the latest OC Register OC Top 25.
Girls Soccer falls twice in Excalibur Cup opening day
The Los Al Girls soccer team dropped a tough 2-1 match to Capo Valley in the opening round of the prestigious Excalibur Tournament Monday afternoon, then tied Etiwanda in the first game of the consolation round, but failed to advance with a loss in penalty kicks.
Senior Mimi Abusham scored the Griffins only goal in the loss to Capo, which improved its record to 6-0-4, while Los Al dropped to 2-3-4. The Griffins then played Etiwanda which had lost its first game to San Clemente on a penalty kick shootout. Abusham again scored Los Al’s sole goal, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the tie and eventual shootout loss. Los Al plays Ayala today to complete their tournament. The full schedule is here.
The Griffins had high hopes after entering Excalibur after a strong showing at the Best in The West Tournament in which they reached the championship game. But so far they are still trying to answer questions after losing the offensive firepower of playmaker Colby Barnett and all-time leading scorer Tabitha LaParl to graduation, as well as the defense of all-conference goalkeeper of Rezyn Turk. So far in eight games they have scored only 9 goals while allowing 10.
Still their three losses have all been close matches to tough teams. Millikan and Temecula Valley were ranked No 4 and 5 in the early CIF Division I rankings, and Capo is unbeaten so far. Millikan was also ranked No. 1 in the Long Beach area pre-season rankings. (Los Al was No. 2). Their Best in the West showing confirmed this year’s team has a lot of offensive power, but allowing ten goals in nine games does make it tough for the offense.
Girls Basketball takes 9-2 mark into Garden Grove tourney
The Los Al Girls Basketball team is playing in the Garden Grove Classic Tournament whpose field also includes Brea Olinda, Sunny Hills, El Dorado, Huntington Beach and Beckman. Brea Olinda is ranked at No. 15 and the Lady Griffins at No. 20 in the latest Register OC Top 25 which came out Monday.
Los Al brings a 9-2 mark into the tournament, after besting El-Toro 60-41 in a non-league match last Wednesday.
