Written by: Kenia Trujillo (more…)
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Written By: Jarrtan Ellis-Josch & Nathan Medina
An arm injury for senior star, Spencer Lawrence, did not phase the Sailors. They won the Best of the West invitational in San Diego. Spencer Lawrence had to sit this one out due to a strained tricep, similar to an injury that sophomore Dane Chalmers had previously this season. It was the second week of the month when Spencer, headed to Ohio State, got injured. Chalmers returned just last week, a couple of days before the Orange County Championships started on Friday.
Coach Ciarelli explained how he had never had two of his players suffer the same injury during his 30 years of coaching volleyball. Lawrence, Newport Harbor’s middle blocker, had the role of taking stats at the San Diego tournament. Despite missing Lawrence, who is planning returning Monday, the sailors beat the Chargers, 21-25, 25-15, 15-8, in the best-of-three finale.
Monroe, finishing with five kills, four coming in Game 2 to even the contest, earned the all-tournament MVP award. Cole Pender a junior outside hitter committed to UCLA, and Talley finished with 8 kills, made the all-tournament team.
Pender also lead Harbor to a 4-0 lead by producing two straight service aces. Sophomore Dayne Chalmers had a few kills as well, and Cole Pender and Drew Johnston recorded winners.
The game against Edison was a thriller, the opening set was back and forth until the chargers went on a 4-0 run going up 13-8. Both Corey Taylor an all-tournament selection, and Trent Williams had a block shot which got the team a significant lead.
James Carpenter and Joe Leas from Edison each recorded a block to turn away Pender, putting the Chargers ahead by 3 24-21. For the set point Conor Hanks an all-tournament selection and Kyle McCauley went up together to hold of Talley.
Edison also had the first points of the second game too, but being tied at 11-11 Chalmers a sophomore for Newport Harbor gave the sailors their first lead of the game.
Edison started to feel the pressure being down 13-11, so they decided to call a timeout. When the game resumed Harbor kept pushing to increase their lead.. Edison committed a net violation at a critical moment in the game and Pender followed it up by hammering a kill. They increased their lead by eight now being up 20-12. The match was one by the Newport Harbor Sailors and with all the momentum they additionally won the last match to take the game.
Written By: Lea Ozdere and Kenia Trujillo
The Newport Harbor Girls’ Varsity team has been doing an amazing job representing our school, winning almost every game in their 2017 season. They continued their success during Battle of the Bay on last Friday, March 24th, winning against Corona Del Mar and simultaneously initiating a turning point for the Harbor Girls’ Lacrosse team. It was the first game in three years that the Varsity girls beat CDM in Battle of the Bay, and with a score of 9-7. This has not only showed that the girls have improved over the years of practice, but also that CDM is not undefeated as they had 
claimed to be, and Harbor might be making a comeback.
They began their game the same as any other sport begins; both teams warming up on their own side. Then, they huddled in a team circle, yelling and chanting at one another to encourage and pump each other up for the big game. The first half began with a draw between a CDM player and Katie Hendrix, #4, and possession was won by Newport Harbor. Newport started off the game strong with a shot made by Katie Hendrix, #4, within the first 5 minutes. Soon, the score is 2-1, then, CDM made their first shot with only 10 minutes left in the 25 minute half. Between many turnovers, Hendrix scored two more consecutive goals to be followed up by a shot from CDM. The first half ended with Newport in the lead, 5-2, leaving the fans and players roaring from their performance.
In the second half, Harbor was determined to finish what they had started. Newport once again scored in the first five minutes, with the goal made by Sarah Farley, #7. There was 20 minutes left in the game with 6-2 on the scoreboard until CDM scored two consecutive goals making the score gap smaller. The only freshman on Varsity, Caroline Farley,#20, scored a shot over the heads of CDM defenders and into the back of the net. CDM then scored another goal making the score 7-5. With determination to stay in the lead, Katie Hendrix, #4, drove to the goal and went for a difficult angle shot, but caused her to fall over a CDM defender, leaving the crowd silent with worry. After a minute of comfort from her teammates, Hendrix stoo
d up and continued to play with the cheers from the fans on the sidelines. CDM once again made a shot leaving the scores too close for comfort with 5 minutes left of the game. At 3 minutes and 52 seconds left, CDM scored their 7th goal, leaving Newport only 1 point ahead. The clock was counting down the last few minutes of the game, the intensity was rising, both Newport Harbor and CDM were giving their all, when our own Sarah Farley, #7, scored the last goal of the game with only 1 minute left, making the final score 9-7. Newport Harbor came out victorious in the Battle of the Bay against Corona Del Mar high school for the first time in three years.
This astonishing win has set a new-found confidence and determination within the Varsity girls, persuading them to continue their hard work and return to the field next year with another win against CDM. Not only for Battle of the Bay, but the girls will fight on throughout all their games, hopefully making it to the CIF championship and bringing the crown home. No matter what happens however, we are extremely proud of the effort and work each of these girls have put into their games and practices, portraying our school in the most positive way. Way to go Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse!
Written By: Jillian Birt - Russell
Every year the NHHS Pep Squad works hard to promote spirit on campus by attending numerous sports events, performing at rallies, and enduring weekend competitions. Their support for the school’s athletes is endless, whether
they’re making posters for their basketball buddies or they’re on the sidelines cheering on football players. But there’s one night out of the year where the team gets some cheerleaders of their own – Spirit Night. It takes place in the main gym and showcases all of the routines performed by the cheer, song, and baton teams throughout the school year. There are even some numbers put on by local preschool and elementary groups as well as a competition routine from the Ensign Seabees. Newcomer to the team, freshman Madelyn Ocana felt that the evening of Sailor Pride required an immense amount of dedication to make happen. “A lot of work went into the performance. We worked for days to get the routines right and make sure we all knew them, but in the end I think our hard work really paid off,” she explains. The girls learned multiple sideline dances and competition routines during their summer practices and had to remember all of them when their big showcase arrived. "We need to review routines from the beginning of the school year and create new routines in a limited amount of time, but it is so exciting to perform in front of everyone so they can see how hard we have been working," says sophomore baton twirler, Zoe Gleason.
However, this year the event was very special, because a portion of the show served as Senior Night and honored the thirteen graduating Pep Squad members that had been a part of the team since they were freshman. Each girl was escorted by her family out onto the gym floor and received a bouquet of flowers as a video of them that was filmed earlier that day played, sharing their favorite memories of the team and their aspirations for the future. There was also a slideshow of photos dating back to as early as their freshman year, which reminded them of all of their favorite moments they experienced with their teammates. “I will miss the relationships I've made with all the girls, especially the sophomores on my team, because they are like my little sisters,” shares senior varsity cheer captain, Margaux Brook. It also made many of the seniors realize that being a part of the team taught them more than just skills needed to stunt or tumble. For senior Cassidy Peterson, her role as overall Pep Squad captain and her four years on cheer have helped her attain skills for the future. "Being captain is more than just being a leader, it is being a friend or a person who could offer a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or even just someone to be there for her teammates
. It is the most important part of leading a group of individuals to give their all to the team and work as a family to ensure the success and happiness of the entire team.” The lessons she learned as a member of the team will follow her well into the future.
Although, Spirit Night was already a very emotional time for the seniors and the teammates they're leaving behind, it became even more so when it was announced that veteran Coach Amanda Pabon would also be saying her final farewell. As niece of the Pep Squad advisor and former high school cheerleader, Amanda coached every team from Ensign cheer, to JV, and varsity, but now she is on the road to becoming a school teacher. Many of the senior girls ran to huddle with Amanda in a group hug, each one in tears but also very excited for the changes in the near future. Margaux Brook went on to say that she was emotional over Amanda’s farewell, but also pleased that she was able to have her as a coach for four years. “I'm really sad about Amanda leaving, because she’s been in my life since freshman year, but I am happy that she is leaving as I am graduating.”
Spirit Night was an evening of entertainment, Sailor Pride, excitement, and emotional goodbyes. Though the event was one of last Pep Squad performances of the year, the memory will stay anchored with the team members for many years to come.
On any team, it is incredibly important to have close relationships with your teammates. For the Newport Harbor’s Girl’s Varsity basketball team, their closeness helped them achieve their goals. By being such a close team, the girls were able to celebrate their many victories and move on and learn from their losses. On and off the court, these girl’s friendship with each other impacted the program.
During season, the girls’ closeness with each other helped them acquire eight wins in league. They achieved this awesome feat through a combination of mad skill, speed, and communication. As well as all this, forming solid friendships with each other helps keep the energy and excitement up during a game, and positive thinking can make a difference in the resulting score. Sophomore Hannah Hiromoto says, “being friends with everyone helps because you can always be there for each other.” Supporting each other throughout the season helped them play better on the court because knowing that your teammate has your back allows you to focus in the moment in the game that matters.
For the second year, the girls’ varsity team has been able so have an athletic set of sisters, sophomore Alexia and senior Angelina Alvarez, whose bond as siblings helps the team on the court. “The whole team has a good connection,” says Hiromoto, but “it's the bond that they already have as sisters that makes it even better.” For many people, being on a team is like being a part of a second family, but for these sisters, playing together is just another opportunity to bond with each other while playing the sport that they love. At the senior night game on February 6th, Alexia Alvarez had an open court and the perfect opportunity for a layup, however she passed the ball back to her sister who was running up behind her so she had the opportunity to make the shot in one of her last games at Harbor. In the end, the girls won that game against Fountain Valley 40-34 because of their teamwork!
The team’s wins are examples of how although there is a pair of sisters on the team, every player is family with each other, and they want to help each other enjoy the game while getting better. As a team, but equally importantly as friends, the girls grew close together and had a fun season and the non-seniors can't wait for next year.
Written By: Delaney Knipp
F
riday night brought a very strenuous game for both the Newport Harbor Sailors and the Huntington Beach Oilers. Sharing the same record (16-11) both schools looked to take third place which meant an automatic place in playoffs.
Beating them at home on the day before “they felt pretty confident going in” Bradley Siegel says. Bradley Siegel a junior starting on Newport Harbor has shown tremendous potential as his first year on varsity basketball.
The momentum was in Harbor’s favor around about 80 seconds left in the game, when they scored and put them only down by 1. However, the momentum switched back 10 seconds later when Gonzalez made his first 3 pointer of the night, putting the Oilers at a 4 point lead.
Brodt, who received the assist to the 3 pointer, explained how it was a "Big shot by [Gonzalez]."
The game took a turn for the worst with a final score of 48-40 in favor of the Oilers. And with playoffs approaching the Harbor Basketball faced the illuming possibility that they would not make the cut.
After the disappointing loss, Newport Harbor Coach Bob Torribio explained to his team that "You're not going to win a Sunset League [game] scoring 40 points, and you're not going to win a Sunset League game not making free throws. You better make a lot of three-pointers, if you're not going to make free throws. You got to do one or the other. We didn't make many threes tonight and we didn't make our free throws." Ending the game going 5 for 28 on three pointers it was easy to see why coach Toribio felt like they did not put their best foot forward.
On the other side of the ball, Coach Billy Thompson explained to his team that "[Newport Harbor] is a super-tough team. We're eventually going to have to win a game where we don't shoot well, and we finally did."
In an overall recap of the game harbor scored 40 points, Zach Blaine ended the game with 18 and 4 3s, and the second most for Harbor was Colin Pipkin with 13 points. On the oilers, Starkel ended the game with 15 points, and Sueda came in with the second most on his team at 11 points.
Although Newport Harbor did end up winning the game, our boys put up a good game and ended up winning their next, leading to another CIF game versus Buena Park on February 17th at home.
Sadly on Friday February the boy’s season ended short with a home loss against Buena Park in the second round of the CIF Playoffs. The team fought hard but lost in the final minute of the game.
Written By: Jarrtan Ellis-Josch & Nathan Medina
Written By: Lea Ozdere and Kenia Trujillo
Having just placed second in their most recent basketball tournament, Harbor’s Varsity girls basketball team were disappointed to lose their game against Edison on Thursday, January 12th. Nevertheless, they ended the loss with smiles on their faces, eager to practice more and dominate their next one.
The girls poured their hearts and souls into the game; their sweat being the evidence of their hard work. They started by practicing some shots and passes to get fired up. Meanwhile, loud music echoed through the gym, hyping up the audience and exciting the fans to cheer with hoots and hollers. Then, the starting line-up was announced, and the first quarter began.
Starting off the first quarter with a bang, Lisa Hamilton, #42, scored the first shot, setting a nice tone for the game. Exchanging the ball between both teams the score was 10-6 with Edison in the lead, with shots by Lexi Alvarez, #2, Eunice Nacho, #3, and Lisa Hamilton, #42. Continuing in the lead, Edison scored another 4 shots, two of which being foul shots. Harbor’s own Lisa Hamilton, #42 once again made a basket to bring up the score now, 8-16. The score didn’t stay long when Lexi Alvarez, #2, made another shot, followed by three more foul shots, making the score for the 1st quarter 20-13.
The second quarter was looking up for Harbor with scoring one foul and one two-point shot by Lisa Hamilton and Eunice Nacho, catching up the score to 15-20. Edison struck back with a 3-pointer made and 2 foul shots. Edison’s streak was broken by the 3-pointer shot and a 1 point foul shot by #2, Lexi Alvarez. Soon 2 foul shots were made by Edison and a 3 pointer by #33. Lisa Hamilton made a 2-pointer and one foul shot, while Edison reciprocated with 2 shots and a foul shot, with the timer just below the minute mark, the score at 22-35. With 5 seconds left at the clock #3, Eunice Nacho shot a buzzer beater, completing the end of the second quarter with a score of 24-35.
With one half of the game down and a current score of 24-35, our Newport Harbor girls varsity basketball team rallied together for the second half. After a group huddle and cheer, Harbor’s girls went out onto the court, determined. Our very own freshman, Ashleigh McPhie, #35, scored the first shot of the 3rd quarter, making it 26-35. Running full speed down the court after a turnover, Harbor eventually made an outstanding 3-pointer, by #3, Eunice Nacho, after a couple passes around the hoop, leaving the fans on their feet cheering at the advance in the score of 29-43. After the ball traveled to both sides of the court with a few minor baskets, Edison attacked, once again, making two 3-pointers, expanding the gap between the two scores, Edison leading, 48-32. Harbor closing the gap with a shot by #2, Lexi Alvarez, however, only to be followed by Edison's 3-pointer. The 3rd quarter ended with Harbor still behind, 34-53.
Looking for a change in the 4th quarter, the starters were in their positions, after their small routine of huddling and getting pumped. After playing roughly for a few minutes, Harbor made a foul, giving Edison the opportunity of two foul shots. One missed, but swished the second, raising the score for Edison to 54-34. After back and forth on the court and switching possession, the score remained the same. The final buzzer rang with a buzzer beater from Edison, obtaining victory, 56-34.
Although our Harbor girls varsity basketball team were not the winners tonight, they still walked off the court full of pride and huddled together, appreciating one another for the hard work in the game. Their attitudes towards themselves and the opposing team remained positive, proving Harbor’s maturity and respect. They may not be winners in this game, but they are winners in our hearts, and we cannot wait to see them continue to push themselves and excel throughout the season. Go Girls Basketball!
Checkout the team’s website here:
http://nhhsgirlsbasketball.
Written By: Jarrtan Ellis-Josch & Nathan Medina
November 8 brought on a stunning and heartbreaking day for our Newport Harbor football team. Finishing 3rd in the sunset league Harbor was expecting to be entered into the division 6 CIF playoffs, but when the news arrived that West Covina would take the last spot in the playoffs the Newport Harbor sailors were devastated. West Covina, the third-place team from the Hacienda League, earned the final spot into the Division 6 playoffs, beating out Newport Harbor. And for the first time under Brinkley, the Sailors failed to make the postseason for the second straight year. West Covina went 6-4 in their league while Newport Harbor went 5-5. Although the records speak in West Covina’s favor, the Sailors felt that their competition in the sunset league was much more difficult than that of West Covina.
Coach Brinkley said "I feel sorry for my seniors. The kids were in tears. It's a shame that it happened to them. Every division, one through 10, the third-place team [from a league] made [the playoffs], except for our division." As coach Brinkley stated this was mostly heartbreaking to his seniors who hoped to end their high school football careers in the playoffs. Many people feel the decision made was not fair or appropriate and many coaches and players voiced their complaints regarding it. Many people were especially upset because the Huntington Beach Oilers who finished fourth in the sunset league were admitted to the division 7 playoffs.
Even the Edison coach got involved in this heartbreaking event. Edison’s head football coach, Dave White, explained how “[ Newport Harbor not making the playoffs was] ridiculous [because the sailors are] third [in league] and Huntington is fourth, [and the Oilers qualify as an at-large team in the Div
ision 7 playoffs]. I don't know why they're in different divisions. They either both should be in [Division 6] or both in [Division 7]. There [are] a lot of flaws. [Newport Harbor not getting in is] a flaw. Brethren Christian not getting in [the Division 10 playoffs with a 9-1 record is] a flaw. They've got to figure out a better way."
Despite this playoff selection controversy, the section committee happened to make some reasonable playoff selections within our local teams. First Corona Del Mar and Edison were the only two teams within the area to make the playoffs as a high seed. Our Rival, Corona Del Mar finished in third place within division 4 and Edison, who was in division 3, finished in second place .In addition, a couple other teams that qualified for the playoffs were Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Los Amigos. Despite this, hopefully Newport Harbor’s football team will break their two year streak and qualify next season.
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