It has been a fantastic season all around for Wolfpack sports, as each of the 6 teams will put forth a side in this week’s CIF playoff first rounds. Although girls basketball and boys soccer slipped up against the Ayala Bulldogs in their final regular season games, each qualified for the second seed and the at-large spot in the Sierra League, respectively.
Claremont battled the Charter Oak Chargers on Tuesday with playoff implications at the forefront of coaches’ minds. Both Wolfpack soccer teams achieved victories by a wide margin, as did boys basketball. Girls basketball was unable to come up with the win, however. Scores from Claremont’s final regular season games will be featured in the online edition of the COURIER by Monday, and in the print edition by Wednesday. Stay tuned for playoff draws in all sports.
It was another week of mixed results for Wolfpack sports against the Chino Hills Huskies. On Friday evening, boys and girls basketball were beaten, girls soccer drew and boys soccer produced a victory. Heading into the final week of regular season play, Claremont will determine their playoff seeds with matches against Charter Oak and Ayala.
The Wolfpack held off a strong surge from the Chino Hills Huskies, then put the game out of reach when Cameron Lorek sealed the game with a score of 3-1 on Friday. Claremont has now won 3 matches on the road and is tied for first place with rivals Damien with identical 6-2 league records.
Coach Fred Bruce-Oliver sent his team out in a 4-3-3 formation, using his wingers to spread the Huskies’ back line thin. Kyle Del Campo took over in goal for the injured Nick Serabyn. Claremont’s back 4 defenders kept a high, flat line throughout the game to counter long balls over the top.
“Whenever we perform well, we keep the lineup the same,” explained Coach Bruce-Oliver.
Claremont High School midfielder Ben Santia heads the ball on Friday during the Pack’s game against Chino Hills at CHS. Santia scored the first 2 of Claremont’s 3 goals giving the boys their third straight win. More in our next edition COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The overall message was that we should “view life through the front window and not the rearview” when Fred Claire spoke to a packed house at Claremont Place on Wednesday. Mr. Claire was the Dodger’s general manager from 1988 to 1998, and is the author of My 30 Years in Dodger Blue.
Mr. Claire exemplifies the idea that people can always reinvent themselves. As audience members munched on mini hot dogs, popcorn and Cracker Jacks, Mr. Claire recounted his long career in the sports world.
Claremont sports again swept the opposition in soccer and basketball on Wednesday. The Wolfpack are pushing for the playoffs from all angles, as this week’s conquered foes were Damien and St. Lucy’s. Check out our website and newspaper for results from Claremont games against the Chino Hills Huskies.
The Claremont Wolfpack boys and girls basketball teams featured in a home double-header against the South Hills Huskies on Friday evening. Both Wolfpack sides endured cagey starts, and strong second-half performances brought each team the victory in front of a fired-up audience.
A previously published Claremont COURIER article in May 2012, “Active Transportation in Claremont,” outlined the benefits of walking and cycling for local trips. We focus here on sponsored Claremont active transportation activities, and invite you to join any of the following events that appeal.
Twelve-year-old Jakob Vanderaa is soaring to new heights, and not as a result of his practice with Claremont Youth Basketball, where the local athlete has been training as a point guard for the last several years. His latest venture has taken him significantly higher than any dunk in CYB history.
With the completion of a recent backpacking trip, Jakob became one of the youngest climbers to complete southern California’s trio of big peaks—Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, which he completed over the holidays. Just 3 years after he began his climbing career, Jakob’s grand total now comes to 103,619 feet of vertical climb, plus over 135 miles in the dust behind him.
And this budding athlete is just getting started.
The Claremont High School girls’ varsity basketball team celebrates their upset victory over South Hills on Friday in Claremont. The Pack trailed the visiting Huskies through the first half but rallied in the 3rd quarter coming out on top 47-43. The victory was particularly stunning because the last time the 2 teams met South Hills won by 24 points. More in our next edition. COURIER Photo/Steven Felschundneff
On Wednesday night, Claremont girls soccer played 100 scoreless minutes against the Ayala Bulldogs. “There you have it, you have to finish your chances,” said coach Tim Tracy. After dominating possession in regulation and having a number of clear-cut opportunities, the Wolfpack played out 2 goalless extra periods and the match finished 0-0. Claremont came out in a midfield-heavy formation, looking to continue their quick passing game. Indeed, the strategy looked to have paid dividends early on.
Wolfpack wrestling put in a dogged effort against the Chino Hills Huskies last Thursday night, winning 2 individual matches by technical decision and one by a pin. However, the Huskies’ upper weights (Wolfpack's 170 pound Sam Piibe in photo) took the final 5 matches of the night. Chino Hills won the overall meet by the score of 46-30.
Claremont’s first 3 wrestlers received scratch victories, so the first bout of the night involved 126-pound wrestler TJ Hinkson. He was pinned by Gabriel DeLeon after 2 rounds. Next up was Pedro Cordero in the 132 pound class. After 3 tough rounds, Cordero’s opponent Eugene Laksana won by technical decision. Catch up with all CHS sports inside. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The girls under 14 AYSO soccer team Dream Crushers represented Claremont in the area tournament, and took home the first place trophy. Coached by Joseph Armendarez, the team won its semifinal match down one player, and then beat Chino in the final down another player because of injury. Oksana Sosnovsky’s goal and Ryanna Curtis’ heroic goalkeeping preserved a 1-0 win for the Dream Crushers and a bid to the sectional tournament.
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