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By Loren Kopff
The so-called second season for high school basketball and soccer begins on Tuesday with the Whitney High basketball and soccer teams beginning action in the Academy League against Calvary Chapel Downey High. The first season recently concluded with the final of the many preseason tournaments that teams participate in every year.
Here is a brief recap of what the area teams have done and who they play in the first week of January as teams try to get to the third season, which is the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section playoffs.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Artesia High, which hasn’t played since Dec. 19, will take its 7-5 mark into a non-league game against Bonita High Saturday, which will take place at Northwood High. The Pioneers will open up Suburban League action Wednesday at Mayfair High.
Cerritos won the first two games of the Mt. Carmel Tournament in San Diego to improve to 8-5 as the Dons will host John Glenn High on Wednesday.
Gahr High improved to 9-4 following a 69-63 win against Highland High this past Tuesday in the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic. The Gladiators faced Escondido High this past Wednesday and will travel to Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High on Thursday.
Norwalk High got past Loara 54-33 this past Wednesday in pool play action of the Whittier Christian Tournament. The Lancers (7-6), who faced Anaheim High on Dec. 31, will host Bellflower High on Wednesday while Whitney is home to Los Amigos High on Saturday before its league opener.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Artesia has not won since Dec. 6 and entered its game with West Valley High in the Ontario Tournament this past Wednesday scoring fewer than 20 points in three straight games. The Pioneers visit Mayfair on Wednesday.
Gahr (6-6), which hasn’t played since Dec. 19, hosts El Dorado High on Tuesday while Norwalk was riding a five-game losing streak after a 40-31 setback to Katella High this past Tuesday in the Garden Grove Tournament. The Lady Lancers (4-10) will host Bellflower on Wednesday while Valley Christian High knocked off Irvine High 52-41 this past Wednesday to claim third place in the Costa Mesa Tournament. The Lady Crusaders (9-6) will go to Mary Star of the Sea High on Tuesday.
BOYS SOCCER
Artesia, which went 4-0-1 in the North Orange County Classic, shutout the California Military Institute 2-0 this past Wednesday to improve to 8-2-2. The Pioneers, who host Mayfair on Wednesday, have allowed six goals this season.
After a fast start to the season, Cerritos has cooled off a bit. The Dons didn’t win a game in the Marina Tournament earlier in the week and is 6-2-2 as they visit Glenn on Wednesday.
Gahr was also in the Marina Tournament where it fell to Diamond Bar High 2-1 this past Wednesday in the fifth place game. The Gladiators (3-3-4) will next be in action on Jan. 8 when they visit Bishop Amat High.
Norwalk (4-3-1) visits Bellflower on Wednesday while Valley Christian (3-5-1), which hasn’t played since Dec. 18, visits La Quinta High on Tuesday.
GIRLS SOCCER
Artesia was sitting at 6-2-1 before its road game at Magnolia High on Dec. 21. The Pioneers, who have yielded seven goals, will travel to Mayfair on Wednesday.
Cerritos is one of the hottest teams and although it hasn’t played since Dec. 19, is 6-1-2 with six shutouts. The Lady Dons will host Glenn on Wednesday.
Gahr was blanked by Calvary Chapel Santa Ana High 5-0 this past Wednesday to fall to 4-6-1. The Gladiators are off until Jan. 8 when they host Western High.
Glenn dropped a 4-1 decision to El Rancho High this past Monday and will enter league play with a 4-4 record while Norwalk hosts Whittier High on Monday before travelling to Pacifica High on Tuesday.
Valley Christian (4-6-2) shutout Moreno Valley High 4-0 this past Wednesday in the Ontario Christian Tournament and will host Downey High on Tuesday.
@LorenKopff on Twitter
