This Week in Athletics
February 2, 2024
As February marks the commencement of Black History Month, celebrating the rich heritage and accomplishments of the Black community, the Cate School’s winter sports teams are concluding their regular seasons with notable achievements and aspirations for the CIF playoffs. Four out of five of our winter season varsity teams are set to embark on the playoff journey, eager to make a mark. Simultaneously, the school gears up for the initiation of Spring sports practices next week, promising a seamless transition from one sporting season to another.
Cate Boys’ Soccer Dominates Regular Season with 9-1-1 Record, Eyes CIF Glory
Ari Seal ’24
The Cate Boys Varsity Soccer Team faced a tough challenge against the Dunn Earwigs in a highly anticipated rivalry. Both teams displayed a hunger for victory in a fast-paced and physical game, resulting in a 0-0 draw at halftime. Despite the Rams’ relentless efforts in the second half and overtime, they could not break the deadlock, finishing with a 0-0 tie. The team showcased unity, grit, and depth, demonstrating their potential even without a win. In their subsequent away match against Foothill Tech, the Rams experienced their first deficit. Still, they made a resilient comeback, securing a 2-1 victory with goals from Kamil Abdul-Nafeo and Ari Seal. In the following game against Cabrillo, Cate dominated with a 7-1 win, showcasing a remarkable team effort with various players contributing to the score sheet. The Rams sealed the Tri-Valley League title with a 4-1 victory over Grace Lancers, achieving their first team goal for the season. Despite a valiant effort, the Rams suffered their first loss of the season (1-2) in double overtime against the Dunn Earwigs, conceding a go-ahead goal from a corner kick. Despite a valiant effort, Cate suffered their 1st loss (1-2) against small school rivals Dunn Earwigs in the final regular-season game. The team remains proud of their determination and looks forward to the CIF SS Division 6 playoffs with sights set on a CIF championship.
Cate Rams Rise: From Triumphs to Playoffs, Boys Varsity Basketball’s Journey Unveiled
Marcus Scudder ’25
The Cate Boys Varsity Basketball team showcased resilience, skill, and determination in a series of intense matchups. Despite a challenging start against Santa Clara, where they faced fatigue, the team demonstrated their commitment. The Rams bounced back with a thrilling 51-48 victory over Santa Clara, fueled by Tyler Martinez’s relentless efforts and crucial contributions from freshman Braylin Glomah and sophomore Yael Mendez. In a pivotal game against Bishop Diego, Cate’s balanced attack and standout performances from Marcus Scudder and Tyler Martinez led to a 60-50 win. Senior Night was a poignant celebration with Tyler Martinez and Marcus Scudder leading the charge in a 67-60 triumph over Channel Islands. Despite a challenging loss to Dunn Earwigs, the Rams secured a playoff spot, finishing 3rd in Tri-Valley League play with an 11-6 overall record. The team now eagerly awaits the Division 3A playoffs draw on Sunday (2/4) at noon.
Cate Girls’ Water Polo Triumphs Over Foothill Tech and Villanova Prep, Displays Grit Against Malibu, Sets Sights on Playoffs
Coach Jesse Morrison, Seniors: Caroline Keohane, Karla Camacho, Claire Clark, Angelina Zoric; Coach Adam Gross (Left to Right) – Image by Katie
The Cate Girls’ Water Polo team faced three challenging league matchups, showcasing resilience and determination. In their game against Foothill Tech High School, the Rams started evenly but faced difficulties in the second period, trailing 4-3 at halftime. The halftime message refocused the team, leading to a stellar comeback and a 10-8 victory, securing top goal scorers Ani Van Lynde, Kate Mccoy, Tallulah Bates, and Lucy Guilbert-Neal. Coach Jesse praised the team’s resilience and determination. They then stayed home, hosting Villanova Preparatory and getting a crushing win with the final score of 11-3. In their last league match against Malibu High School, the Rams faced aformidable opponent but displayed a no-quit mentality, winning the fourth quarter 2-1. Despite a 14-5 loss, the team’s improvement from their previous encounter with Malibu was evident. The focus now shifts to the upcoming playoffs, with the Rams eager for their first-round game next Wednesday.
Cate Girls’ Varsity Soccer Secures Playoffs with Resilient Performances and Dominant Wins in League Matches
Seniors: Josie Frazer, Shannon Murray, Mel Davidson (Top Row), Caroline Batchelder, Jasmine Palekar, Oona Summerford-Ng (Bottom Row) Image by Katie
The Cate Girls’ Varsity Soccer team navigated a series of soccer battles with resilience and determination. The first encounter against Foothill Tech resulted in a 1-2 loss despite an impressive display of passing and offensive efforts. The following game against St. Bonaventure showcased a remarkable 1-0 victory, with Addie Bracher securing the goal. The seniors were celebrated in a dominating 11-0 win against Santa Clara, where multiple players contributed to the scoring, including Precious Adjei, Fiona Pan, Claire Bianchi, and others. The momentum continued with another convincing 11-0 victory in the rematch against Santa Clara, featuring notable performances from Shannon Murray and strategic ball movement. The team’s playoff journey began with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Bishop Diego, securing a spot in the CIF playoffs. The team demonstrated resilience, skill, and teamwork throughout the challenging matchups, highlighting their potential for a successful playoff run.
Highs and Lows: Cate Girls’ Basketball Conclude League Play with Senior Night Triumph
Senior Night Team Photo – Photo by Coach Peterson
The Cate Rams faced a challenging sequence of games marked by highs and lows. In their matchup against Thacher on January 20th, the Rams suffered a tough loss, shooting their worst percentage of the season and struggling offensively despite a strong defensive effort. The subsequent game on January 23rd against Bishop Diego showcased the team’s resilience, as they battled throughout, leading at crucial moments despite missing key players. The Rams demonstrated versatility, with different players stepping up in scoring and defensive roles. Despite being outscored in the final quarter, the experience was critical for the team’s growth. On January 31st, the Rams concluded Tri-Valley League play with a 29-14 win on senior night against Santa Clara. The game highlighted a dominant start, defensive prowess, and balanced scoring, providing a positive end to the league. Coach Moore expressed appreciation for the team’s resilience and competitiveness, acknowledging the challenges faced in the upgraded league. The Rams now reflect on their season, proud of their efforts and growth as a team.
As Winter sports draw to a close, the Cate School’s athletes have etched their stories of determination, triumphs, and growth on the courts and fields. In the spirit of Black History Month, celebrating the invaluable contributions of the Black community, we are reminded of Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.” This sentiment reverberates through the diverse achievements and unity exhibited by our athletes. With most winter teams securing playoff berths, anticipation brews for the upcoming CIF competitions. The athletes’ relentless efforts, resilience, and teamwork have defined this season, showcasing the spirit that resonates throughout the Cate School community. As the winter season concludes, the school focuses on the promising start of Spring sports, embodying the perpetual rhythm of athletic excellence at Cate.
For all post game recaps, please go to news section on our website or click the link below:
https://www.cate.org/news/
GO RAMS!!!