Perfect Sharks B-Ball Beats League Rival

When the  boys varsity basketball team played at Bishop Diego earlier this month, it took overtime to separate the Frontier League's top two teams. On Friday night, it just took regulation—but the game was almost as close. The contest was only decided in the last minute, with the Sharks (15-7, 7-0 in Frontier League) winning 46-41.

It was another team effort and every player contributed. Malibu head coach Bobby Tenorio has honed a team that works together and believes in each other, and each player is willing to back the other up.

It was spirit week at Malibu High, and even before the game when the players came out to shoot around, you could see the focus and determination on the Sharks' faces as they prepared for the Cardinals (10-12, 5-2 in Frontier League). The Malibu High Chamber Singers sang the national anthem to a rousing set of applause.

Earlier in the day, the students celebrated in a pep rally and the spirit continued into the basketball game after the boys varsity soccer team beat Oak Park 2-1. The packed house was continually whipped up into a frenzy by seniors Kfier Cohen, Hunter Johnson, Cooper Smart and junior Brennan Cassone, who wore teal and black body paint in the stands.

It was the loudest and most vocal home crowd at the Shark Tank in a number of years. Students, teachers, parents and neighbors had come out to see what the buzz was all about.

There was anticipation in the air. Both teams played like their lives depended on the result of the game; the players were tight and a number of shots from both sides that normally would have been gimmes just could not be made.

Sophomore center Justin Holmes won the tip, and Malibu came up empty on its first possession. On the ensuing run up the court, Bishop Diego guard Elias Munoz, went to work and completed an old-fashioned three-point play. In a blink of an eye, Malibu countered with a modern three by sophomore guard Anthony Kodomichalos.

This, of course, whipped up the crowd, and Malibu responded with its defensive press, not allowing the Cardinals to score again in the quarter, while dropping in another two three-point shots (another from Kodomichalos and the other from senior guard Jack Platner). The only downside to the quarter was that Kodomichalos picked up three quick fouls, so he had to go to the bench for the remainder of the half.

The second quarter started with Bishop Diego fighting back. Malibu continued to share the ball. Early in the quarter, the Sharks continued to pass the ball around, easily beating the Bishop Diego press. While the ball was not falling for Holmes, he was regularly initiating the offense from the post and dished off a neatly time pass to junior forward Will Rosenthal for an easy layup.

Unfortunately, points were few and far between for the Sharks, and a number of costly consecutive turnovers allowed Bishop Diego to creep back into the game. Tenorio tried to rotate his guards, using senior Patrick Fontenette and junior Andrew Yazdani off the bench to give the Malibu backcourt a breather.

Just as the Cardinals looked like they may break the game open, Rosenthal jumped into the passing lane and a grabbed a crucial steal, allowing the Sharks to close in on halftime. Malibu trailed 18-17 at the half on four of seven shooting.

The third quarter included several lead changes, with neither team giving an inch. Both teams were looking for a crack in the other's armor, but none appeared (at least in this quarter). The rivals played themselves to a standstill.

Bishop Diego was able to stay with Malibu by living at the free-throw line. Malibu was able to maintain the status quo behind another three-point shot from Kodomichalos (nine points, four steals) and a number of critical baskets from Holmes, including a three-point play.

The quarter ended with the teams neck and neck, but with the Sharks trailing 30-29.

The fourth quarter opened with Bishop Diego going on a run and opening a six-point lead. Tenorio put Kodomichalos and Rosenthal back in the game. Suddenly, the Cardinals could not find the open lanes, rebounds were harder to come by and Malibu closed the gap and soon took a four-point lead behind Holmes, who finished the game with 11 points.

The crowd was on its feet. Senior forward Harrison Kaplan (10 points) forced a Cardinal turnover. The game was down to the line. Malibu was up by two, with possession and 39.9 seconds left on the clock. The game came down to a test of character; down to one crucial play.

Senior guard Kyle Sandler brought the ball up, but an errant pass allowed Bishop Diego to steal the ball and head down court (the crowd took a collective gasp) and just as quickly, Sandler risked his hand, reached in and stole the ball back, leading to a Rosenthal layup.

The Sharks were up by four and knew they had this one in the bag. The clock was down to eight seconds, and in the words of Chick Hearn, the game was "in the refrigerator." The Bishop Diego coach called timeout to draw up a play. The Sharks denied the Cardinals a simple entry pass, so they threw a Hail Mary down the court. Platner was able to bat it down to Holmes, who scooted across half court and was fouled with a couple of seconds left.

Holmes iced the game by making one of two free throws. With the missed second attempt, the clock ran out to seal the Sharks' victory. There was pandemonium, students and spectators stormed the floor to celebrate with their team.

It may not have been the prettiest game, but it was a mighty important one, again showing how this team has matured under Tenorio and his assistants.

The Sharks have three games left against teams that they have blown out. On Wednesday, Malibu will travel to Ojai to play Villanova and then go on to Simi Valley to play Grace Brethren on Friday. Senior night is at Malibu High Feb. 8, when the Sharks will face Carpinteria in the final Frontier League game of the regular season.