Three out of four Palisades High varsity teams qualified for this week’s City Section playoffs. Boys’ soccer was fifth out of seven teams in the Western League and, for the first time Coach John Lissauer can remember in his 13 seasons, the Dolphins were not selected to the postseason tournament. Girls Soccer Having won the Invitational title last winter, Coach Kim Smith’s team has its eyes on a bigger prize this year. The Dolphins, who went undefeated in the Western League, earned the fourth seed in the City playoffs and will host 29th-seeded Manual Arts in the first round at 3 p.m. Friday at the Santa Monica Airport Park (located at 3223 Donald Douglas Loop S #3, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Should Palisades win tomorrow it would advance to next Wednesday’s second round to host either No. 20 Garfield or No. 13 Reseda. A loss on Friday drops the Dolphins to the Invitational bracket where they would host the Garfield-Reseda loser. Palisades (14-3 overall, 12-0 in league) has picked the perfect time to be playing its best soccer. The Dolphins enter Friday’s match on a eight-game winning streak during which they have outscored their opponents 41-2. They also have not allowed a goal in over three and a half games. Junior Erin Newman leads Palisades with 14 goals and three assists while senior Kelly Mickel and freshman Kathryn Gaskin each have 12 goals. Sophomore Emma Carter has tallied a team-best 17 assists and goaltenders Allison Kappeyne and Kiki Bailey have combined for nine shutouts. Manual Arts (6-5, 4-4) finished third in the Coliseum League. Boys Basketball Despite a third-place finish in the Western League behind co-champions Fairfax and Westchester, the Dolphins’ strength of schedule was enough to secure them fifth out of 16 teams in the City championship draw. Thus, Palisades (24-6 overall, 8-4 in league) will host 12th-seeded Cleveland in the first round Friday at 7 p.m. Should Palisades win it would either host No. 13 King-Drew (15-11) or travel to No. 4 Fremont (19-6), the Coliseum League champion, in a quarterfinal game next Wednesday. The Dolphins gave host Westchester all it could handle in their regular season finale before succumbing 63-57. Paleno needs one more win to notch victory No. 325 of his career. Aaron Hawk-Harris continues to lead the Dolphins in scoring at 15.4 points per game, followed by Irvin Kintaudi (12.4) and Josh Gilmore (11.2). Taylor Shipley is averaging 5.4 assists and 4.5 steals per game and Hawk-Harris is pulling down 8.8 rebounds per contest. The Cavaliers (19-7) were the runner-ups in the West Valley League behind Taft (21-3), the top seed in the tournament. Cleveland and Palisades share several common opponents. Both have victories over Beverly Hills, University and Knight of Palmdale, but Cleveland lost to Hart at the San Fernando Valley Invitational and Palisades beat Hart the next night. Girls Basketball Coach Torino Johnson’s squad was seeded fifth in the 24-team City Invitational bracket and received a bye in Tuesday’s first round. The Dolphins (15-12 overall, 6-6 in league) will host either No. 21 Franklin (9-10) or No. 12 North Hollywood (13-5) in the second round today at 7 p.m. Should Palisades win tonight it would advance to next Tuesday’s quarterfinals, where it would either host Tuesday’s Van Nuys-Eagle Rock winner or travel to fourth-seeded Marshall (13-11), which also had a bye in the first round. Junior Dominique Scott, who established herself as one of the premiere post players in the Western League this season, leads Palisades with 13.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. Tuekeha Huntley (10.7 and 8.9 rebounds per game) and Mariah Lyons (3.1 steals and 2.6 assists) are other key contributors for a team averaging 43.5 points. Palisades closed out the regular season winning three of its last four games, including a 66-48 victory over Westchester last Friday. Eagle Rock was third in the Northern League while Van Nuys finished fourth in the Sunset Six. The Dolphins lost to El Camino Real in the first round of the Invitational tournament last season.

Harlem Globetrotters Entertain and Educate Students at Corpus Christi

From the moment they strolled into the gym at Corpus Christi School last Wednesday twirling red, white and blue colored basketballs on their fingertips, Harlem Globetrotters “Sweet” Lou Dunbar and Eugene “Wildkat” Edgerson had their attentive audience mesmerized. But the dynamic pair did more than demonstrate the wizardry and skills that have come to symbolize the world’s most famous basketball team for 82 years, they also introduced students to the Globetrotters’ C.H.E.E.R. Challenge program, focusing on cooperation, healthy mind and body, effort, enthusiasm and responsibility. “In our long history we’ve won over 22,500 games and to do that we have to work well as a unit,” said Edgerson, a 6′ 7′ power forward now in his third year with the Globetrotters. “So cooperation is working well with others.” Edgerson went on to explain the importance of exercising and reading, always trying your best and, especially, enthusiasm. “Every day we put on a uniform our job is to have fun make people happy,” he said, as children admired his billowy afro. “So it’s all about having positive energy.” The final tenant he talked about was responsibility: “Accountability for your own actions is very important,” Edgerson said. “That means cleaning your room, turning assignments in on time and doing the right things even when no one else is watching.” After the discussion, Edgerson and Dunbar invited five students to the center of the floor to join them in the “Magic Circle,” the Globetrotters’ pre-game routine performed to the catchy tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” Each student was taught a trick, from rolling the ball around his/her back to bouncing it off an elbow or knee, before passing it along to the next player. The visit ended with the Globetrotters asking their young audience questions to see who was listening. Students who answered correctly questions ranging from how long the Globetrotters have been around (since 1926) and where the team originated from (Chicago) were rewarded with wristbands and autographed pictures. Dunbar, now in his 28th season with the organization, donated a basketball signed by both players to the school, handing it to Principal Catherine Carvalho. Dunbar has lived up to his name as a “Globetrotter,” traveling around the world three times and playing in front of more than 10 million people on six continents. His infectious enthusiasm rubs off on everyone he meets and he’s just as happy entertaining a small gym of kids in Pacific Palisades as he’ll be playing before thousands of fans at the Honda Center and Staples Center this weekend as part of the Globetrotters’ “Magic As Ever” world tour. “My role now is more as a coach and in player development,” the 6′ 10′ Dunbar said. “To pass my love and knowledge of the game on to the next generation.” As an avid NBA fan living in Houston, Dunbar roots for the [Houston] Rockets and [Dallas] Mavericks, but said the Lakers’ recent trade for Pau Gasol could put them over the top in the Western Conference. “That was a huge deal for them,” he said. “I’m sure everyone out here is excited about it and they should be. And when the Lakers get Bynum back’ look out!” Edgerson played on two Final Four teams at the University of Arizona and he still lives in Tucson. “Growing up, the Globettrotters weren’t really on my radar,” he admitted. “My dream growing up was to play in the NBA but when that door closed, others opened.” Becoming a globetrotter isn’t easy. Edgerson remembers arriving at training camp as one of 60 players competing for only five spots. “Sure, you have to be a talented basketball player to make the team,” he said. “That’s one whole aspect of it. Just as important, though, you have to be a good role model for our youth and you have to want to give back.” The Globetrotters play a doubleheader Saturday against their archrivals, the Washington Generals, at the Honda Center in Anaheim (games start at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.). On Sunday, they’ll be on the court at Staples Center in Los Angeles for a game at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $16 and are available through Ticketmaster, the arena box offices and on-line at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Qualifying is done, practice rounds over, the Pro-Am forgotten, now it’s down to business at historic Riviera Country Club, where 17 of the top 20 golfers in the world tee off Thursday in the first round of the Northern Trust Open. Is it purely coincidence that it’s starting on Valentine’s Day? Perhaps, for those who love most an afternoon at the range. Despite the absence of top-ranked Tiger Woods (winless at Riviera in 11 tries), fourth-ranked Ernie Els and No. 13 Henrik Stenson, the tournament figures to pack plenty of drama with Charles Howell III trying to defend his title against the likes of second-ranked Phil Mickelson (last year’s runner-up), Master’s champion Zach Johnson, Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia. Howell, 28, erased a four-shot deficit on the back nine to beat Mickelson on the third playoff hole last February. Now ranked 38th in the world, he has not won an event since his improbable victory here, although his game suits this course, on which he has three top 10 finishes in six starts. Prior to winning at Riviera last year, Howell’s only other PGA win was the Michelob Championship in 2002’the final year of that tournament’so this is the first time in his pro career he’ll have a chance to repeat. However, it won’t be easy. The 68th edition of the tour’s Los Angeles stop is bound to be one of the most difficult in recent memory because the greens will be hard and fast and the famed kikuyu rough could be as high as three inches at some locations on the course. Play officially begins at 7 o’ clock this morning and the total purse is $6.2 million–$1 million more than last year’with the champion banking a $1,116,000 check. Northern Trust, one of the nation’s largest personal trust companies, replaces Nissan as the tournament’s title sponsor. So what’s the biggest key to success at Riviera? Putting. Of the last 15 winners, 12 had one of their two best putting weeks of the season. Of course, with the grass being so high, driving accuracy will also be crucial and scores could be closer to par than normal. The last time a winner shot single digits under par at this event was Mike Weir, who shot nine-under in 2003 for the first of his back-to-back titles. Riviera has hosted the tournament every year but two since 1973. The 1983 event was moved to Rancho Park because Riviera was the site of the PGA Championship, and the 1998 event was held at Valencia Country Club while Riviera was preparing to host the U.S. Senior Open later that year. Also in the 144-player field are Jim Furyk, Justin Rose, Steve Stricker, K.J. Choi, Luke Donald, British Open champion Padraig Harrington, U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, Retief Goosen, Stuart Appleby and David Toms. Past champions participating include Weir, Rory Sabbatini, Adam Scott, Robert Allenby, Len Mattiace and Billy Mayfair. Exemptions were given to two-time major champion John Daly and PGA Tour Qualifying School graduate Kevin Streelman. FACT BOX Northern Trust Open Today-Sunday At Riviera Country Club (7,279 yards, par 71) 2007 Champion: Charles Howell III (-16) TV Schedule: Thursday-Friday Golf Channel (noon-3 p.m.) Saturday-Sunday CBS (noon-3 p.m.) Tickets $30 adults; $25 seniors; $20 juniors Parking VA Hospital (405 Fwy, exit Wilshire West)

The Pali Blues Soccer Club headed to Las Vegas last weekend and returned Monday as champions of the Silver Mug Tournament. “We showed a lot of character,” Blues head coach Charlie Naimo stated. “Our group hasn’t had a lot of experience together, but our players were still out there solving problems. It was a great experience for all of the players involved, and we now have somewhat of a measuring stick to guide us into preseason training.” After a 0-0 draw with Ajax in the first game, the Blues scored decisive victories over Athleticos (8-0), Legacy (9-0), and the Denver Diamonds (4-2). In the semifinals, the Blues beat the West Coast Soccer Club (1-0) and in the finals they defeated Ajax by the same score. Manya Makoski led the Blues’ scoring with six tournament goals and Danesha Adams added five goals and two assists. The Blues improved to 5-0-2 in tournament and exhibition play, outscoring their opponents 24-3. The Blues’ first United Soccer League game is against the Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, May 10. Visit the Web site at www.bluessoccerclub.com for more information.

The St. Matthew’s boys soccer team defeated Pacific Hills, 3-0, on Monday in the Pacific Basin League quarterfinals. Eighth-grader Charlie Porter scored twice and seventh-grader Taylor Stokes added a goal for the Falcons (4-1-1), seeded second in the west division. Eighth-grade goalies Brandon Newman and Jack Hurst combined for the shutout. If victorious over Willows on Wednesday, St. Matthew’s will meet Brentwood or Windward in today’s championship game. Also winning its Pacific Basin League quarterfinal game was St. Matthew’s girls’ B basketball team. Lily Donnell scored six points and fellow sixth-grader Mackenzie Howe added four in the Falcons’ 14-4 victory over New Roads. Sixth-grader Caroline Sanford and seventh-grader Hailey Biscow each had two points while Donnell and eighth-grader Jourdan Thompson were the leading rebounders for second-seeded St. Matthew’s (7-1). St. Matthew’s lost to Crossroads, 20-12, in a semifinal Tuesday. The Falcons’ boys basketball B team won its Pacific Basin League quarterfinal, 39-28, over Willows. Chris Sebastian and Chad Kanoff led the way with 12 points each, John O’Day had nine and Chase Klein added four points and five blocks. St. Matthew’ (8-0) clung to a 24-23 after three quarters, then outscored Willows 15-5 in the fourth quarter. The boys’ A division team lost to Wildwood, 44-39, in Tuesday’s Pacific Basin League quarterfinals. Will St. John had 18 points and Kevin Carswell added seven for St. Matthew’s (5-4). Revere Boys’ Soccer Triumphs Paul Revere Middle School’s boys and girls soccer teams both won their game slast Tuesday. The boys defeated Windward, with Kyle Warner scoring twice and Victor Garcia, Oliver Scott and Matthew Bailey each adding one goal. Meanwhile, the Roughriders girls’ soccer squad played unbeaten Windward to a 1-1 tie. Grady Gitlin scored the equalizer with less than five minutes left for Revere.

Amanda Lisberger, the Palisadian-Post’s female athlete of the year in 2007, signed a national letter of intent on February 6 to play for the University of Texas next season. The all-time career scoring leader at Brentwood, Lisberger has netted 20 or more goals in each of her four seasons and is expected to graduate in June with 11 varsity letters (four in soccer and three each in track and cross country). This winter she’s led a young Eagles team to its third consecutive Olympic League title and a berth in the CIF playoffs. She’s a three-time All-CIF first-team selection and a four-time first-team All-Olympic league choice. Lisberger also played a key role on her Eagles Soccer Club’s U17 team, which won the national championship in July. She scored the winning goal on a header in the state finals and assisted on the decisive goal in the national finals. Born in South Korea, Lisberger has been invited to join the Korean Republic national team pool for the next World Cup.

Coach Brian Timmerman’s Palisades-Malibu YMCA swim team continues to get faster with each successive meet and that trend continued last weekend at the Junior Olympic Championships in Long Beach. In the 15-and-over category Jennifer Tartavull made new Y national times and set new Paly records in multiple events: the 100 freestyle (54.77 seconds), 500 freestyle (5:10), 1,000 freestyle (10:29) and 200 breaststroke (2:30). The 16-year-old finished eighth in the 1,000 freestyle and 16th in the 500 freestyle. Timmerman said Paly’s 15-and-over girls relay teams are the program’s fastest ever and they proved him right, setting five new team records. Consisting of Hayley Hacker, Allison Merz, Jennifer Tartavull, Kimberly Tartavull and Hayley Lemoine, Play qualified for nationals in the 200 medley, 400 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays. Lemoine, Merz and the Tartavull sisters finished 11th in the 200 freestyle relay. Ten-year-old Mardell Ramirez finished 13th in the 50 freestyle while Hacker lowered her own Paly record in the 200 backstroke.

Tip-off time for Friday’s Palisades-Westchester boys’ basketball game at Westchester has been changed from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m.