Lady Centaurs lose in overtime in state opener

The Culver City High School girls basketball team dream season ended March 6 with a 49-46 overtime loss to Granada Hills in the state regional playoffs

“We had a great season and now we have to build on this season and continue our success next year,” said Culver City head coach Julian Anderson after the heartbreaking loss.

“We have a lot of players returning and hopefully we can get some new players to help us improve.  If we work hard and get stronger up the middle, we can have another great season next year,” Anderson said.

The Lady Centaurs will have to find replacements for seniors Taylor Tanita and Shannon Yahn.    “I still have a lot to learn, but I hope I can continue playing at the next level,” said Yahn, the Lady Centaur center who started playing organized basketball two years ago.

“I grew up playing pickup games with boys, and they always told me that if I want the ball I need to go get it.”

Although the Centaurs will lose point guard Tanita and Yahn, everyone else will return for the 2013-14 season. Junior Kelsey Ueda and freshman Kalley Tooke will be two of their key players.

Culver City ended its season 24-7 overall and went undefeated   in the Ocean League.

 

Centaur soccer teams looks toward next season

By Joe Snyder

Sports Correspondent

The Ocean League champion Culver City High girls soccer team is hoping to kick back into high gear next season.

“Soccer looks very good for next year, as we are losing four seniors, two of them starters.  The girls know what it’s going to take to repeat and go further in the playoffs,” said Centaur head coach Scott Mair.

Culver City High lost, 2-0 to number No. 1 Downey Vikings team in the second-round CIF playoff game Feb. 19 on the artificial turf at Downey High School.

“We could not adapt to the turf field and good opponent,” said Mair.

The Lady Centaurs began the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs by shutting out Laguna Beach, 3-0, in the first round Feb. 14 at home.

Culver City (17-7 overall, 9-1 in league) was led by sophomore forward Jasmine Flores with two goals. Jacquelyn Espinosa and Elli Benetez each had one assist.

Goalkeeper Daniella Gutierrez recorded four saves.

“We played real well in that match,” Mair said. “Our team is so balanced in scoring. We have about six players who can score. They can play more than just offense. Our defense is playing great. Our goalkeeper is great. We have four girls in front of her. They backed her up and made the right plays.”

Mair cited the play of the outside players sophomore Tatiana Estrada and junior Cyeyanne Thomas, along with inside players junior Pauola Cueva and senior Cassandra Garcia.

Culver City’s Ocean title is the first in Mair’s stint as head coach.

SAVE: Centaur goalie Daniella Gutierrez stops a first-half shot and junior midfielder (1) Karina Ramirez defends a Downey Viking forward in a Feb. 19 second-round CIF playoff game  at Downey High School. The Lady Centaurs lost 2-0.

Photo by George Laase