This Week in Athletics
February 21, 2020
The winter season has unfortunately come to an end for our four playoff teams who went down fighting hard to the very last minute. Both girls and boys soccer and basketball teams had high hopes for a deep CIF run, and their play put them in a situation for that. In the end, however, their opponents were equally determined.
The girls soccer team drew a wildcard game against Malibu High School to start their playoff run. Playing on one of the only fields that can rival the one the team calls home, the girls jumped out to a fast start against the Sharks. The Rams earned a corner after putting constant pressure deep in the Malibu end, and junior Lilly Riehl netted a beautiful goal off the corner from senior Neema Mugofwa. The Rams would hold this lead until midway through the second half when the Sharks converted on a quick counterattack. After back and forth action for most of the second half, it seemed this contest was to be decided in extra time. However, after an unlucky break in which a Malibu player was fouled right at the top of the box, the Sharks capitalized on their penalty kick breaking the 1-1 draw. The Rams pushed back with all they could throw at the Sharks in the final eight minutes, but it was not meant to be. As Coach Wyatt stated, “Such is the game of soccer.”
The boys basketball team faced a similar fate in their first playoff game, taking on a very well-balanced Eastside High School team from Lancaster. The Rams were energized from the opening tip where senior Ethan Ng had the hot hand, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the first quarter. After an evenly matched first half that saw Eastside take a one-point lead into the half, the third quarter played out a little differently. Eastside was able to lock down the Rams on offense and build an 11-point lead headed to the fourth. That hole was a little too much for the Rams as they would end up falling 66-53. Coach Gil said after the game, “I am tremendously proud of our guys. Having moved up a couple divisions for playoffs this year, we competed with a very good team and can carry our heads high.”
The boys soccer team entered the playoffs having run the table in the regular season. The team started their playoffs with an opportunity to do something that not many Cate teams get a chance at — compete against Thacher. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, the Rams played tremendously, culminating in a 3-0 victory over their rival with goals from seniors Theo Mack and Buba Fofanah, as well as freshman Jae Lim. In their second round matchup, the Rams went on the road to face-off against a very tough Valley Christian squad. Much like the girls team was able to do, the Rams jumped out to a 1-0 lead off a penalty kick conversion from sophomore Daniel Boateng. That score would hold until halfway through the second half when Valley Christian evened the score on a loose ball in the box. Just as the referee was getting ready to blow the whistle and send the match to extra time, Valley Christian converted on a free kick in what was the final tally. Following the game, Coach Mack said, “Our season ending this way is a bitter pill to swallow. This team has fought through a ton of adversity this season, and I don’t think any of us thought it would end in such heartbreaking fashion.”
Finally, it was the girls basketball team that had the campus buzzing this past week. Their playoff run started by defeating Costa Mesa, 62-26, in what was a typical game for the Rams this year. They played aggressively on defense which turned into fast paced offense. For the second round, the team traveled about as far south in the section as they could have — their destination, Mission Viejo, to take on Capistrano Valley. In what would be their most exciting win of the season, the girls took home a 41-38 victory. Their poise was incredible at the end of the game with senior Maya Blattberg and junior Lily Zanze hitting clutch free throws down the stretch and senior Piper Brooks putting a stranglehold on the opponent’s best player. Unfortunately for the Rams, their incredible season would come to an end against an incredibly talented and relentless Marshall High School team. Sprague Gym was as electric as it has ever been and the girls fed off that energy early in the quarterfinal matchup. Sophomore Meena Baher harnessed her inner Steph Curry in the first half, seeming to score from behind the arc every time she touched the ball. In the end, the Eagles defense proved to be too much for the Rams to overcome, and it was one of those nights where the Rams did not benefit from the homecourt rims. What an incredible season for these girls.
The spring season is just getting underway on the Mesa. Stay tuned for updates on how our teams are doing to start their seasons in the next issue of CommuniCate.
For all post-game recaps, please go to Game Recaps in the Media Hub section on the school website. You may also click on the link below.