The Week in Sports

December 7, 2018

Last season, the girls varsity basketball team peaked at the right time and rode that momentum into the CIF-SS semifinals. This season’s team picked up right where last year’s left off, knocking off Faith Baptist 42-26. As one would expect from a team in their first game (and without some key players), the Rams were a bit timid out of the gate. However, the team settled in nicely, led by the play of Maya Blattberg ’20, Elle Smith ’19, and Lily Zanze ’22. Meena Baher ’22 made her debut on the court and picked up 9 points, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Since then, the team is 2-2, with wins over rivals Thacher and Carpinteria and tough losses to Pilibos and San Marcos. Piper Brooks ’20 has done a nice job of running the point for Cate, while Deborah Brittain ’21 has been dominant in the post.

On the soccer field, the boys varsity team has taken on some tough competition to start the season. The Rams opened up the campaign by dropping a thrilling 1-0 to St. Bonaventure. After a tie against cross-town foe Carpinteria, the Rams traveled to Goleta to take on the San Marcos Royals and lost 3-2. Kobby Nimako ‘22 has been a big piece of the offense this year for the Rams, scoring two of the three goals. Bailor Jalloh ’19 had a beautiful goal in the team’s tie against Carpinteria. Harry Corman ’20, Jack Deardorff ’19, and William Deardorff ’20 have been impressive for the Rams this season as well.

The Cate girls water polo team is searching for their first win of the young season after dropping their first three contests. The squad has many new faces this year and is anchored by the play of Celia Foster ’19 and Ella Hendriks ’19. Chloe Tarlton ’19 has been tough in net for the Rams, while Marissa Strauss ’20 has helped lead this young squad. Cate is in the middle of a four game road stretch and won’t return to play at the Horowitz Aquatic Center until December 14 against Moorpark High School.

The boys basketball team is off to a nice start this season; head coach Andy Gil currently has the Rams sitting at a comfortable 3-1, with wins over Garden Street Academy, Santa Paula, and local foe Carpinteria. The victory against Santa Paula came in the first round of the Ojai Valley Classic Tournament, held at Thacher. It has been a full team effort for the Rams, as several players have stepped up big at various points so far. Khadim Pouye ’20 and Ethan Ng ’20 hit some key shots against Carpinteria, while Thomas Nettesheim ’20 picked up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Santa Paula. Mason Oetgen ’22 has also impressed so far this season, as has Nkemka Chukwumerije ’21.

In her first season as head coach of the girls varsity soccer team, Taylor Wyatt has already had to face a bit of adversity. With several members of the squad sidelined with injury early, the Rams have had to call on some new faces in the early going of the year. The team has weathered the storm nicely and currently sits at 1-1-1 so far. The team’s lone loss came at home to a skilled Sage Hill team, while the tie and victory came against Carpinteria and Vilanova, respectively. The Rams have seen big contributions up and down the roster this year. Maddie Erickson ’19 and Phoebe Hurwitz ’19 have shown great leadership for Cate, while Rachael Ma ’22 and Olivia Dorion ’22 have made an early impression. Lea de Vylder ’21, Grace Blankenhorn ’20, and Kim Rogers ’20 have helped the Rams all over the field so far this season.