By Steve Breazeale
Boys Basketball Topples Tritons, Eyes Mustangs
Playing on the road and in front of a regional television audience as part of Cox Cable’s Game of the Week on January 25, the Dana Hills boys basketball team pulled off a come from behind 67-57 win over league rival San Clemente.
The victory put the Dolphins (17-7, 4-2 league) only a game behind the Tritons and Trabuco Hills, who are tied for first place in the Sea View League.
The Dolphins used their size advantage down low to do damage to the Tritons in the third quarter as part of a 20-8 run to start the second half, erasing what was a four-point first half deficit.
Senior guard Cory Blau saved his best for the final 16 minutes and poured in a team-high 21 points in the contest. He also pulled in nine rebounds and was a big part of the Dolphins second half push. Senior guard Hayden Fredrick might not have had his best shooting night, going 2-11 from the field scoring eight points, but the senior was aggressive all night while facilitating the Dolphin offense and tallied a team-high seven assists and five steals.
The Dolphins next game is against first-place Trabuco Hills on February 2. The Mustangs won the first tilt between the two teams, 61-56, on January 18.
Slade, Rizzo-Foden Commit to Play College Football
Dana Hills seniors Devin Rizzo-Foden and Matthew Slade have both recently committed to play football at the next level.
On January 22 Rizzo-Foden, a wide receiver and kick returner for the Dolphins, committed to play for Kansas Wesleyan University in the fall. Rizzo-Foden (5 feet 7-inches, 180 pounds) was a first team Sea View League wide receiver this past season. He is also a two-time Dana Hills Varsity Football Coaches Award recipient.
As a receiver, Rizzo-Foden pulled in 20 catches for 295 yards, averaging 14.75 yards per catch. He caught a touchdown pass on September 28 in a 22-7 victory over Irvine.
Matthew Slade recently committed to Sacred Heart University, according to head coach Todd Rusinkovich.
Slade (6 foot-2 inches, 215 pounds) had a very successful season for the Dolphins at the defensive end and linebacker positions. He was named the Sea View League Defensive MVP and was a 1st team Sea View League defensive back.
Slade, a co-captain of this year’s squad, was third on the team in total tackles, with 94, and tallied one sack and one interception on the season. On September 14 Slade produced a season-high 18 total tackles against Troy. His interception came in what was a must-win game against San Juan Hills on November 2.
Slade was named the team’s MVP this season and was a two-year varsity starter on defense.
Girls Basketball Win Streak Snapped
The Dana Hills girls basketball team had a four game Sea View League win streak snapped on January 24 as the Tesoro defense clamped down on them in a 43-26 loss. The 26 points scored ties the lowest offensive output by the Dolphins all season.
But even with the loss, the Dolphins (12-11, 4-1) still sit atop the league standings, one game clear of Tesoro with three games remaining on their schedule.
The Dolphins will host last place Trabuco Hills on February 2, which could bode well for the Dolphin offense and freshman Maddy Bloom in particular. Bloom dropped 16 points and recorded three steals when the Dolphins defeated the Mustangs 40-34 back on January 12.
Dolphins Tie with El Toro, Sit in Second Place
The Dana Hills boys soccer team earned an important 3-3 draw with first place El Toro in a Sea View League matchup on January 25. The match was all square at 1-1 heading into the second half when both teams scored two goals, ensuring a draw and the Dolphins’ grip on second place in the standings.
El Toro, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the CIF-SS Division 1 coaches poll, has had their way with opposing teams all season. They have only one loss on their resume and the tie with the Dolphins was their first on the year.
Dana Hills’ next opponent is Laguna Hills, a team the Dolphins handled easily in a 3-0 win on January 14. The two teams will face off at Laguna Hills on February 2.
Dolphins Girls Soccer Suffers First Loss of the Season
The Dana Hills girls soccer teams 13-match unbeaten streak finally came to an end on January 25 following a 1-0 loss to Mission Viejo in South Coast League play.
The Diablos Jamilah Tejan scored the go ahead goal in the second half to pull Mission Viejo to within one game of the first place Dolphins (9-1-4, 4-1-1) in the standings.
Up next for the Dolphins is last place Tesoro, whom Dana Hills defeated 1-0 on January 17. The Dolphins will close out their season with rival San Clemente on February 6.
Girls Water Polo on a Roll
After pulling off a comeback win over San Clemente on January 22, the Dana Hills girls water polo team rattled off two more South Coast League wins over Trabuco Hills and Laguna Hills on January 25 and January 28, respectively. In the game against the Mustangs the Dolphins recorded 19 steals, led by Kayla McGowan’s four.
The Dolphins will host Laguna Hills on February 5, which will be the second time in as many games that the two teams play each other.
Wrestling Preps for League Finals
Dolphin wrestler Ryan Minoofar made it to the finals of the San Clemente Rotary Invitational on January 26 but lost to the Tritons’ Ash Ryan, 12-7.
The Dolphins will compete for the South Coast League championship on February 2 at Aliso Niguel High
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