A shorthanded boys varsity basketball team traveled to Santa Paula on Friday for the Sharks' Frontier League season opener. While at times the Sharks, playing with just nine athletes, left the small contingent of Malibu fans fretting, the team managed a 54-48 victory.
The game was a tight, physical confrontation with neither side conceding an inch.
The first quarter included both teams going on runs, with Malibu finishing the quarter down 16-15. Sophomore guard Anthony Kodomichalos led the defense with the first three rebounds and two blocks in the opening period.
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The second quarter was a seesaw affair until late in the period. Senior guard Patrick Fontenette continued to push the offense, picking up four assists in the quarter. Senior guard Jack Platner was also rewarded for his aggressive offense with 10 points before the break. Reserves Parker Smith and Andrew Yazdani played valuable minutes at the end of the half.
The Sharks finished the half with an 8-2 run to head into the locker room with a 30-25 lead.
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The second half opened in a flurry. Santa Paula could not miss and soon closed the gap. However, Malibu was able to keep its nose in front with inspired play from sophomore center Justin Holmes and Kodomichalos. Junior forward Will Rosenthal tracked down a number of critical rebounds at both ends of the court.
Kodomichalos kept the scorers busy with four points, five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a forced turnover on an offensive foul at a critical time in the quarter. The Sharks finished the third period with their nose in front, 43-41.
Early in fourth quarter, Sharks head coach Bobby Tenorio made the inspired substitution by bringing in senior forward Harrison Kaplan for Rosenthal (six points and six rebounds). After a quiet first half, Kaplan inspired the Sharks defense and Malibu held Santa Paula scoreless for the first three minutes of the period.
Santa Paula found it very difficult to score, with its only field goal for the quarter coming with 2:34 remaining in the game. The Sharks held their opponent to just seven points in the final quarter.
In the last half of the final quarter, Santa Paula threw everything at the Sharks (including their bodies). Senior guard and team co-captain Kyle Sandler, while slowing the Santa Paula offense, kept his team focused, soaking up the clock and pressure. Although Holmes finished the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Platner had 16 points, the game should never have been this close. Malibu, as a team, shot 14 for 27 from the free throw line and 3 for 10 inside the last two minutes of the game (Kodomichalos was the only one not to miss from the line).
The MVP for the game was Kaplan, who finished with six points and five rebounds.
Tenorio said he was happy with the team's defense, especially in the fourth quarter.
"A year's experience is amazing," he said. "I don't think we could have won a game this close last year. This team is working out how to win tight games, especially on the back of in December."
The Sharks next game is on Wednesday at Bishop Diego in another league contest. Malibu's home opener follows on Jan. 13 against Villanova. Everyone is welcome to come and support the local Sharks basketball team. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and the game is preceded by junior varsity and freshman/sophomore contests, with tickets available at the door.
