The San Clemente boys soccer team is 10-1-1 on the season. Photo by Steve Breazeale
Wrestling
There was one number lingering above the heads of the Triton wrestlers when they entered their gym to play visiting league rival Laguna Hills on December 18.
The number, 25, was the consecutive years in which their opponent, the Hawks, had not lost a league match. It was a daunting figure that San Clemente head coach Mark Calentino kept returning to in the buildup to the showdown between the league’s top two teams.
In the end the only numbers that mattered were 31-29, the final tally that had San Clemente on top, breaking their opponents long-standing record and giving them an edge in the competitive South Coast League.
The Tritons will now take that momentum to Las Vegas, where they will compete in the Las Vegas Invitational from December 21 to December 22.
Boys Basketball
The San Clemente boys basketball team saw a 15 point first quarter lead disappear against Carlsbad on December 12 in the opening round of the Fallbrook Tournament and the Tritons went on to lose 62-59. Carlsbad was able to scrap their way back into the game and erase the Triton lead by pulling even to start the fourth quarter. The Tritons (5-5) shot a season high 52 percent from the field and pulled in 31 total rebounds in the contest.
The Tritons rebounded nicely from the loss against Carlsbad by rattling off two wins in a row, the first, a 77-56 victory over Oceanside on December 13 and the other, a 74-46 win over Fallbrook on December 14. Senior big man Jake Terkoski recorded a double-double in the game against Oceanside, pouring in 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Next Game: 12/21 vs. Huntington Beach, at El Toro High, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
In the most lopsided San Clemente girls basketball victory of the season, the Tritons defeated visiting Mira Mesa 86-8 on December 14. Statistically, it was one of the best games the Tritons (5-2) have played all year. The team shot a season high 58 percent from the field, recorded a season high 19 steals and only turned the ball over eight times, another season best. The Tritons now hit the road to compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix Arizona.
Next Game: 12/20 vs. Red Rock of Sedona, TBA, 6:45 p.m.
Boys Soccer
Playing host to the reigning CIF-SS Division 3 champion, Paramount, the San Clemente boys soccer team came away with a 2-1 non-league victory on December 14. Junior midfielders Alek Cucuk and Oscar Martinez each scored a goal while senior goalie Dylan Digiacomo recorded six saves. As of December 17, the Tritons were ranked No. 2 in the CIF-SS Division 1 coaches’ poll.
Playing on the road against Santa Ana on December 19, the Tritons (10-1-1) overcame a 1-0 first half deficit and tied.
Next Game: 12/21 vs. Dana Hills, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Water Polo
The No. 8 ranked San Clemente girls water polo team has not played a game since their 11-8 win over Cathedral Catholic High on December 8. The team was set to play against Laguna Beach on December 19. Results were not available at press time.
Girls Soccer
The visiting Capistrano Valley girls soccer team scored three goals in the second half against the Tritons to claim a 3-0 non-league win on December 13. The Tritons, who are ranked fifth in the CIF-SS Division 1 polls, will join many of the other top programs in the county at the Mater Dei Premier Invitational, which began on December 19. The Tritons first match will be against Canyon on December 20, after which they will move on to play No. 10 ranked Harvard-Westlake on December 21.
Football
On January 4 San Clemente tackle Sean Harlow will play in the annual Semper Fidelis All American Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Harlow entered the 2012 season as a highly touted prospect and is committed to the University of Washington. Triton head coach Jaime Ortiz will be an assistant coach for the East team in the game.
