Dana Hills senior forward Katie Underwood was named the Max Preps Holiday Classic tournament MVP. Underwood helped lead the Dolphins (7-7) to the tournament title on December 29. Courtesy photo
By Steve Breazeale
Boys Basketball
The Dana Hills boys basketball team took home its first piece of hardware on the season after traveling to play in the Max Preps Holiday Classic Tournament and placing first. The Dolphins (13-4) went undefeated in the tournament, rattling off four consecutive wins including a 69-43 victory over Cathedral City in the final on December 29.
The Dolphin defense proved effective throughout the four days of competition, allowing an average of 33.5 points per game to be scored against them.
Senior point guard Hayden Fredrick was named the tournament MVP and turned in an efficient all-around game in the final, where he scored 16 points, had eight assists, one block and three steals in the win.
Fredrick, senior guard Cory Blau and junior forward James Taylor were named to the All-Tournament squad.
Next Game: 1/9 vs. San Juan Hills, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
The holiday tournament schedule seemed to be exactly what the Dana Hills girls basketball team needed. Heading into their own inaugural North vs. South Challenge on December 22 the Dolphins were the owners of a 2-7 overall record. But a close 66-63 victory over Los Alamitos at home on that day was the catalyst for a run of five straight wins, which has vaulted them up to .500 for the first time all season.
After the win over Los Alamitos the Dolphins (7-7) won four straight at the Max Preps Holiday Classic en route to claiming the tournament championship.
In the semifinal game of the Max Preps Holiday Classic on December 28 the Dolphins squared off against Desert Chapel and recorded season highs in several important stat categories. The Dolphins shot a season best 47 percent from the field, pulled in a season high 38 rebounds and only turned the ball over 11 times, a season low. The Dolphins cruised to the tournament title after a 50-20 win over San Dimas on December 29.
Senior forward Katie Underwood, the team’s leading scorer, was named the tournament MVP and sophomore guard Serena Saba and freshman guard Maddy Bloom were named to the All-Tournament team.
The Dolphins were set to host Rancho Alamitos on January 3. Results were not available at press time.
Next Game: 1/5 vs. Beckman, 12:30 p.m.
Wrestling
The Dolphins were set to compete in the Mann Classic on December 21. Results were not available at press time.
Next Match: 1/8 vs. Laguna Hills, 5:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer
Dana Hills held the No. 2 ranked San Clemente boys soccer team scoreless in the first half of their December 21 non-league matchup, but gave up a second half goal and the Dolphins went on to lose 1-0.
Dana Hills (4-4) bounced back nicely from the loss with a 6-3 non-league win over Corona del Mar at Mission Viejo High on December 29.
Next Game: 1/9 vs. San Juan Hills, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer
The Dolphins left the Mater Dei Premier Invitational with their unbeaten record still intact.
The Dolphins (5-0-3) opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Los Alamitos on December 19 and followed that up with back-to-back draws against Bishop Amat and Foothill on December 20 and December 21, respectively. Molly Regan scored the lone Dolphin goal in the team’s 1-1 draw against Bishop Amat. In the game against Foothill, the Dolphins’ Tiana Salazar’s early goal gave Dana Hills a 1-0 lead at halftime, but a second half equalizer by Foothill ensured another 1-1 draw.
As of December 17, the Dolphins were ranked No. 3 in the CIF-SS Division 1 Coaches Poll, two spots ahead of No. 5 San Clemente—their next opponent.
Next Game: 1/8 vs. San Clemente, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Water Polo
The Dolphins have not played a game since their 10-8 win over Warren on December 14.
Next Game: 1/8 vs. San Clemente, 4:15 p.m.
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