Boys capture tourney crown
Irvine High School
The Irvine boys basketball team went 4-0 to win the Estancia Coast Classic, defeating Estancia 54-38 in the championship game. Sophomore center Cooper Stearns was named the most valuable player of the tournament, and Daniel Shin was named to the all-tournament team. “Cooper is the glue that holds us together,” Irvine Coach Harry Meussner says. “We played even-keeled throughout the tournament, and our defense played with intensity.” Irvine was ranked fifth in the CIF 5AA division.
Girls named tournament champions
Woodbridge High School
The Woodbridge girls basketball team defeated rival Irvine 49-26 to capture the championship at the Savanna Holiday Classic. Hana Watanabe and Maddie Yasui had 16 points each to lead Woodbridge. Watanabe was named the tournament’s MVP. “I thought we really stepped up our defense,” Woodbridge Coach Keith Clarkson says. Watanabe has averaged 13.8 points a game.
Girls finish in the top 10
Portola High School
The Portola girls water polo team rode its best start in school history to a 15-5 record, earning the No. 5 ranking in the CIF Division 4 poll. The Bulldogs, who also took first in the Platinum Division at the Corona Christmas Invite, are aiming for a big run in this month’s CIF playoffs. Leading scorers are senior Emma Amakasu, junior Andi Ruiz and freshman Lexi Minasyan.
Zdanavage signs with Michigan
Portola High School
Portola’s multi-sport athlete Jadyn Zdanavage signed a national letter of intent with University of Michigan to run cross-country and track and field. She is a two-time Pacific Coast League cross-country champion, an all-state in cross-country and a PCL 800-meter champion in track and field. She also excelled in lacrosse and basketball. “Michigan and the Big Ten have a long history of success in cross-country and track, and I look forward to being part of it,” she says.