Winter Break has been anything but relaxing for the Palisades high boys’ basketball team, which hosts Dorsey in its final nonleague game Thursday night at 6:30. The Dolphins (10-4) are coming off back-to-back tournaments and finally get to play on their home court–something head coach James Paleno hopes will energize his team against a team that has been a perennial City contender under coach Kevin Gibson. The Dolphins lost to Lancaster 73-67 in the consolation final of the San Fernando Valley Invitational on December 23, then beat Fullerton Troy, Irvine Northwood and Santa Barbara before falling to Clovis West of Fresno 84-79 in the championship game of the Santa Barbara Holiday Tournament last Wednesday. Garrett Nevels was an All-Tournament choice in San Fernando and Kenneth Towner made the All-Tournament team at Santa Barbara. “My assessment so far is very poor defense and too much emphasis on offense,” said Paleno, who has 350 career coaching victories in 19 seasons at Palisades. “I’d like to see us play more consistently.” Palisades opens Western League play with three home games next week: Monday against University (tip-off at 6:30 p.m.), Wednesday against Venice (7 p.m.) and Friday against Fairfax (7 p.m.). “I’m worried about one team right now and that’s Dorsey,” Paleno said, not wanting to look ahead. “University’s zone always gives us problems, Fairfax is supposed to be a little down but will still be really tough to beat and Westchester has to be the odds on [league] favorite right now.” Girls Basketball Coach Torino Johnson’s squad went 2-2 at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona on Christmas week and again the following week at the Oaks Christian Holiday Hardwood. “Every game we played was against a team ranked higher than us and we won half of them, so I’m pleased about that,” Johnson said. “The girls are still learning how to win but they’re coming along fine. Johnson said Ashlee Bruner, Donae Moguel and Nicole Flyer have been workhorses for us, now we just need to find out who else is going to step up.” Palisades (7-5) travels to Dorsey Thursday night and opens Western League play at University on Monday. Boys’ Soccer Palisades (4-0-1 overall, 2-0-1 in league) resumes Western League action next Wednesday at LACES and next Friday at Hamilton. Jesse Vasquez, Shane Centkowski, Max Ledesma, Alex Anastasi and Nate Cutler each have two goals for the Dolphins. Girls’ Soccer After a 1-2-1 mark at the Hart Tournament last week, Palisades hosts Western League rival LACES next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Stadium by the Sea. Junior captain Kathryn Gaskin leads the squad (7-5-1 overall, 3-0 in league) with nine goals and six assists.
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