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Sports

Sharks Basketball Wins Home Opener

Malibu High School's win includes great contributions from all the players.

After 17 games on the road, the  boys varsity basketball team took the floor at home on Friday for the first time this season, and the Sharks gave the large crowd something to cheer about. Malibu led from start and went on to win 66-37.

The Malibu forwards were just too big, too fast and too willing to share the ball. Sophomore center Justin Holmes scored 19 points and forwards Will Rosenthal (junior) and Harrison Kaplan (senior) finished with 15 and 14 points respectively. In addition, both Holmes (14 rebounds, including 12 in the first half) and Kaplan (11 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass) were monsters on the boards.

The Sharks (11-7) are now 3-0 in Frontier League play.

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With a rousing rendition of the national anthem by the school's choir, the team had a spring in its step and was ready to go from the first tip. The Sharks used that nervous energy to limit Villanova to just three field goals in the first quarter. Senior guard Jack Platner kept the ball moving and dished out three assists in the period (finishing the game with five assists and 10 points). Staunch defense allowed Malibu to finish the quarter up 13-6.

The second quarter included more of the same tough Malibu defense, with the highlight being Kaplan's work on the offensive boards, which included three putbacks. Sophomore guard Anthony Kodomichalos was everywhere on defense, harassing the Villanova guards and not letting them get into any rhythm or offensive set. He finished the game with seven steals.

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Senior Parker Smith came off the bench to replace Holmes after the center got into foul trouble. He gave the Sharks both valuable minutes and sterling service down low. Guards Andrew Yazdani (junior) and Patrick Fontenette (senior) continued to probe the Villanova defense with dribble drives, forcing the Wildcats to expend lots of energy and allowing the Sharks to head into the halftime break up 32-12.

The second half started with Villanova pressing Malibu on both defense and offense. Senior guard Kyle Sandler led the Sharks in breaking the press and moving the ball around on offense. Unfortunately, the Sharks became a little complacent in the quarter—consistently fouling on defense. This allowed Villanova to maintain a sniff of a chance, and sent them to the free throw line multiple times. Malibu continued to grind away and headed into the final quarter up 52-29 (Villanova made 11 of its 17 points in the quarter at the line).

The fourth quarter saw Villanova on the ropes and to Malibu's credit, the team did not relax. The Sharks' defense continued to hold strong and the quarter saw sophomore guard Brian Salcedo's first Frontier League points. 

Overall, the Sharks performed well in most categories. In particular, head coach Bobby Tenorio was happy with the team's performance at the free throw line, where the players made 14 of 17 shots. Every Shark contributed and supported each other in what was a clinical display.

Next, the Sharks play Grace Brethren at home on Wednesday at 7 p.m., with tickets available at the door. We expect to see everyone there again.

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