It’s tournament time for area high school basketball and soccer teams as the 2010-11 winter sports season faces off.
Basketball
The annual Coronado Thanksgiving girls tournament got things bouncing last week, with Chula Vista High School recording victories against Imperial, 31-26, and Coronado, 37-19, last Friday and San Marcos, 53-47, on Saturday.
Hoops tourneys at Eastlake, Olympian and Hilltop jump-started the boys season. The annual Otay Ranch and Chula Vista Spartan Classic boys tournaments, as well as the Baron-Optimist girls tournament, are on tap in December around holiday time.
Montgomery High School will host its 28th annual Aztec Holiday Classic Dec. 27-30 for both boys and girls teams.
Girls soccer
The 31st annual Barons tournament kicks off Saturday, Dec. 4, and wraps up with playoffs and championship matches Dec. 11. Joining Bonita Vista as co-hosts once again are Hilltop and Olympian high schools.
Approximately 104 teams are entered this season to continue its reputation as the state’s largest girls high school soccer tournament.
Games are scheduled Dec. 4, 6-11. Each team plays three pool matches, with Dec. 10 being a make-up day because of inclement weather. Playoffs include semifinals and finals.
Despite retiring as an active coach with more than 500 career wins at three schools in the South Bay (Southwest, Bonita Vista and Otay Ranch), Ron Pietila retains his post as tournament director.
Girls water polo
Otay Ranch returns seven varsity starters for the 2010-11 season. The team’s play in its opening two scrimmages reflects that veteran experience as the Mustangs topped Hilltop, 10-3, on Monday and Helix, 6-3, on Tuesday.
Junior Kelsey Eaton and sophomore Sarah Medina each had three goals, one assist and three steals in Monday’s game while junior Audrey Py contributed two goals and one assist, junior Mariela Rodriguez had one goal and three steals and junior Tori Kelly scored one goal and made one steal. Junior Bri Patricio was credited with 10 goalie saves.
The Mustangs remain young but talented.
Medina had three goals, seven steals and one assist in Tuesday’s scrimmage victory against the Highlanders while Eaton had one goal, one assist and two steals. Rodriguez had one goal and three steals while Py scored one goal, and senior Alex Arambula and junior Sara Gagarin each made two steals and Patricio had 11 goalie saves.
Wrestling
The 2010-11 season faces off with Saturday’s Battle by the Beach tournament at Mar Vista High School. Competition starts at 9 a.m. (Dec. 4)
Girls wrestling dates in San Diego County include the Duals of Steele Dec. 18 at Steele Canyon High School and the inaugural San Diego Section girls championships Jan. 17 at Mater Dei Catholic High School. Girls weight classes are 98, 103, 108, 114, 118, 122, 126, 132, 138, 146, 154, 165, 189 and 235 pounds.
