PALIHI SPORTS ROUNDUP

Boys Hoops Rebound From Loss

Any worries Palisades High boys varsity basketball coach James Paleno might have had that his team would suffer a hangover after last Tuesday’s lopsided loss to Westchester in its Western League opener dissipated quickly when the Dolphins built an early lead and cruised to a 62-41 victory at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies on Thursday. Senior guard Brian Barner led the way with 13 points and junior forward Irvin Kintaudi added 12 as Palisades raced to a 14-10 lead in the first quarter and increased its advantage to 26-17 by halftime. The Dolphins outscored LACES 17-10 in the third quarter to build an insurmountable lead and improve their league record to 1-1. On Saturday, the Dolphins (11-6 overall) hosted a nonleague game against Lake Balboa Birmingham and won 55-37. Junior guard Taylor Shipley had 10 points, eight steals and five assists and senior forward Paul Davis-Mitchell added nine points for Palisades, which hosted league leading Fairfax on Wednesday and travels to L.A. Hamilton for a game at 4 p.m. today Through Tuesday, Barner was the Dolphins’ leading scorer this season with 152 points and 35 assists, including 34 three-pointers. Davis-Mitchell and senior forward Kris Mehdipour each had 14 points. Kintaudi leads the squad with 79 rebounds and junior guard Brandon Greer had a team-best 53 steals. Girls Basketball Like the boys, Palisades’ girls varsity team rebounded from its league-opening loss with a strong effort last Thursday against LACES. Under the guidance of Head Coach Ronda Crowley the Dolphins jumped ahead 24-9 in the first quarter and breezed to a 73-45 win. Junior Tuekeha Huntley led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds, sophomore Dominique Scott had 14 points and junior Mariah Lyons added 12 points and six assists or the Dolphins (5-11, 1-1), who played at Fairfax Tuesday and host L.A. Hamilton today at 4 p.m. In its Western League opener last Wednesday at Westchester, Palisades led by 10 at halftime, 29-19, but was outscored 17-3 in the third quarter. The Comets slowed the tempo down in the final eight minutes and won 45-36. Heading into Tuesday’s game, Lyons was leading the Dolphins with 209 points, including 19 three-point baskets, 40 steals and 32 assists. Huntley led the team with 119 rebounds and 33 blocks. Boys Soccer The Dolphins fell behind early and lost 1-0 loss to defending Western League champion Hamilton last Monday at Stadium by the Sea, ending the points streak of Palisades senior striker Osbaldo Garcia. He resumed his scoring spree two days later, however, at L.A. University. In the 11th minute, he converted a penalty kick to give Palisades a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats tied the game in the 27th minute and the game remained tied at halftime. After Palisades Head Coach Dave Williams received his second yellow card and was ejected, Davis Lau scored off of an assist from Ben Malisoff in the 63rd minute to give Palisades a 2-1 lead. Garcia deked two defenders and slid the ball past the Uni goalie to add an insurance goal in the 68th minute. Palisades (4-3, 3-2) hosted LACES Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and travels to Westchester for a league game today at 2:30 p.m. The LACES win moved Palisades into third place in the Western League standings. Garcia has 10 goals and two assists in seven games. Girls Soccer The Palisades High women’s soccer team tied its third consecutive game 1-1 last Wednesday, this time against L.A. University. Strangely, the Dolphins have more ties in Western League play (three) than wins (two). Last Tuesday, Palisades tied Hamilton and in their last game before Winter Break the Dolphins tied Venice. The Uni draw made Palisades 5-4-3 overall and 2-0-3 in league. The Dolphins begin the second round of league play against Westchester at 2:30 p.m. today at Stadium by the Sea and travel to Fairfax next Tuesday.