Sports Briefs: Middle school volleyball, soccer seasons wrap up

DOWNEY – The Downey middle school second season of boys’ volleyball and girls’ soccer concluded last Thursday and city championships were determined. Griffiths traveled to Sussman last Thursday to take on the Pioneers and Doty traveled to Stauffer to take on the Spartans. The 8th grade Sussman boys’ volleyball team defeated Griffiths 21-12 and 21-9. The Sussman 7th grade boys’ volleyball team defeated Griffiths 17-21, 21-11 and 15-11.

The Sussman 6th grade boys’ volleyball team defeated a previously undefeated Griffiths team 16-21, 21-3 and 15-3. In the second game, Sussman’s Chris Hernandez scored 20 straight points off his serve.

The Griffiths 8th grade girls’ soccer team defeated Sussman 3-1 and the Griffiths 6th and 7th grade team defeated Sussman 2-0.

The 8th grade Doty boys’ volleyball team defeated Stauffer 21-14 and 21-13. The Stauffer 7th grade boys’ volleyball team defeated Doty 21-13 and 21-12. The Doty 6th grade boys’ volleyball team defeated Stauffer 21-19 and 21-16. The Doty 8th grade girls’ soccer team defeated Stauffer 2-0 on penalty kicks after ending regulation in a 0-0 tie. The Doty 6th and 7th grade girls’ soccer team defeated Stauffer 2-0.

The 8th grade boys’ volleyball city title was shared by Doty and Sussman with records of 4-1. Stauffer finished third at 2-3 and Griffiths was fourth at 0-5. The 7th grade boys’ city title was also shared by Doty and Sussman with records of 3-2. Griffiths and Stauffer tied for third place with records of 2-3. The 6th grade boys’ city title was won outright by Griffiths with a record of 4-1. Doty finished in second place at 3-2, Sussman finished in third place at 2-3 and Stauffer finished in fourth place at 1-4.

The 8th grade girls’ soccer city title was shared by Doty and Griffiths with records of 3-2. Stauffer and Sussman tied for third place with records of 2-3. The 6th and 7th grade girls’ soccer city title went to Doty with a record of 4-0-1. Griffiths finished in second place at 2-2-1, Stauffer finished in third place at 2-3 and Sussman finished in fourth place at 1-4.

Games were highly competitive and entertaining. It was great to see so many students, parents, teachers and fans at each of the games. Next up for middle school sports will be three grade level teams for boys and girls basketball, six teams total, as well as an 8th grade and 6th and 7th grade boys’ soccer teams. First games will begin January 27 at previously scheduled school sites.

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Although the Warren Lady Bear cross country team saw their season come to an end at C.I.F. finals in late November, Warren is still receiving accolades. The Long Beach Press Telegram released their annual girls’ Cross Country Dream Team selections on Wednesday for the 2014 season.

For their outstanding performances throughout the cross country season, seven Lady Bears were named to the Dream Team. Senior Marissa Pluma and junior Samantha Tabares were named to the First Team. Senior Lisa Vasquez, Junior Janeane Hernandez and junior Gwendolyn Hurtado were named to the Second Team. Senior Sofia Ramos and sophomore Trinity Gomez were given honorable mention recognition for their efforts.

At C.I.F. Finals, the Lady Bears were led by senior Marissa Pluma’s 37th place overall finish in 19:00. Junior Samantha Tabares finished 47th in a time of 19:10, junior Janeane Hernandez finished 59th in a time of 19:20, junior Gwendolyn Hurtado finished 63rd in a time of 19:23, senior Lisa Vasquez finished 64th in a time 19:25, sophomore Trinity Gomez finished 68th in a time of 19:32 and senior Sofia Ramos finished 74th in a time of 19:42.

Interestingly, four of Warren’s top seven runners will be returning next year with more experience and skill under their belts. Coach Waldron and his staff are excited that seven of his top runners were recognized by the Long Beach Press-Telegram as top performers. Warren’s strong finish was their third best to date.

As a team, Warren finished ninth in Heat 1 at C.I.F. but needed to finish in the top seven in order to advance to the state meet in Fresno.

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The Warren High School boys’ basketball team currently has a record of 2-5. The Bears lost their season opener to Cerritos 66-49 on 12/1 in the Cerritos/Gahr Tournament. Warren was defeated by Jordan 65-50 on 12/3, defeated by Bell 38-31 on 12/5 and defeated Granite Hills 59-52 on 12/6. The Bears were defeated by Bonita 65-36 on 12/10, defeated by Schurr 56-51 on 12/11 and defeated Alhambra 64-61 on 12/12 in the Blue Pride Classic.

Warren will play in the 5th Annual Whittier Holiday Invitational over Christmas Break from 12/26-30. The Bears will then travel to Schurr on 1/2 before they open S.G.V.L. play against Gahr at Warren on 1/14. Warren will travel to cross-town rival Downey to face the Vikings on 1/16.

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The Warren High School girls’ basketball team currently has a record of 3-2. The Lady Bears lost to Orange Lutheran 50-26 on 12/5 in their season opener.

Warren defeated Long Beach Wilson 75-47 on 12/9 in the Ocean View Tournament, were defeated by Ocean View 46-42 on 12/10 and defeated Los Alamitos 58-45 on 12/12. The Lady Bears defeated the California Academy of Math and Science 80-58 on 12/13 and played San Clemente and Corona del Sol earlier this week (scores unavailable at press time).

Warren will host Torrance on 1/8 and El Rancho on 1/9  as final tune-ups before they begin S.G.V.L. play against Gahr at Warren on 1/14. Warren will travel to cross-town rival Downey on 1/16.

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The Downey High School boys’ basketball team currently has a record of 5-2. The Vikings defeated Whittier Christian in the Buena Park Tournament 55-44 on December 1 in their season opener.

Downey lost to Valencia 56-38 on 12/3, defeated Jurupa Hills 59-26 on 12/5 and defeated Buena Park 57-37 on 12/6. The Vikings defeated Cypress 65-39 on 12/12, defeated Lakewood 76-62 on 12/13 and lost to Corona del Mar 61-53 on Tuesday in the Charlie Wilkins Memorial Tournament in Westminster. Downey played Hawthorne on Wednesday (score unavailable at press time).

Downey will play Cerritos at the Staples Center on January 5 and then travel to California High on January 7 for their final non-league game. The Vikings will begin S.G.V.L. play on January 14 when they travel to Lynwood to play the Knights. Downey will host cross-town rival Warren on January 16.

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The Downey High School girls’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 6-2. The Lady Vikings defeated San Pedro 41-39 on 11/28 in the Downey Classic in their season opener.

Downey lost to Kennedy 59-36 on 11/29, defeated Mayfair 47-36 on 12/2 and defeated Legacy 42-39 on 12/4. The Lady Vikings defeated Whitney 48-11 on 12/10, defeated Whittier 37-24 on 12/10 and lost to St. Paul 56-48 on 12/12. Downey defeated Gahr 55-37 on 12/13 and played Los Alamitos yesterday (score unavailable at press time).

Downey will travel to La Serna on 12/22 before participating in the Southern California Holiday Prep Classic from 12/26-30. Downey will play Whittier at the Staples Center on January 7 and then play Mayfair on 1/8 before opening S.G.V.L. play at Lynwood on 1/14.

Downey will host cross-town rival Warren on January 16.

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Published: Dec. 18, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 36