Dos Pueblos scholar-athlete of the year Britten Vilander

A seventh grader from St. Rafael’s School was the most sought-after person at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.

Michael Cota’s excellence at the free-throw line drew the attention of high school and college basketball coaches in attendance in the Ranchero Room at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.

Why all the fuss?

Cota won district and Southern California titles in the annual Elks Hoop Shoot free-throw contest. He made 25 of 25 in the district competition and captured the Southern Cal title in a shoot-off with two other kids.

LeRoy Jeffers, chairman of the local Hoops Shoot, said Cota missed three of his first 10 free throws before sinking 14 of the next 15 to tie for first in the SoCal finals. In the shoot-off, he was a perfect 5-for-5.

“You can always use a good free thrower,” said Dave Loveton, sports information specialist at SBCC.

UCSB assistant coach David Campbell said senior Jaime Serna was dominant for the Gauchos in road wins at UC Davis (18 points) and Pacific (15 points, 12 rebounds).

“It was really, really good to see him put forth the kind of effort we’ve been waiting for all year,” Campbell said. “If we’re going to have the kind of season we want and finish strong, we’re really going to need him to step forward and really be the kind of player he was at the end of last year.”

San Marcos boys basketball coach Jarrod Bradley said he’s been getting bombarded with calls and text messages asking why the team is 4-4 in the Channel League.

“The reality is we’ve lost three games by a combined five points,” Bradley pointed out. “We win those games we’re 7-1 and in first place.”

After last week’s two-point loss at Santa Barbara, he told his team to keep everything in perspective. “It’s not the end of the world we’re 4-4. There are lessons to be learned. As a coach, there are things I can do differently.”

Bradley learned he should give Uriel Hurtado more playing time. Hurtado had nine points and three rebounds against Santa Barbara.

“He was solid for us. Look for him to play a lot more,” said the coach.

Bradley also introduced reserve Paxton Ridgway.

The coach offered congratulations to aquatics coach Brian “Chuckie” Roth for being named San Marcos Teacher of the Year. Roth is now in the running for County Teacher of the Year.

Unlike San Marcos, Santa Barbara High’s girls basketball team is on the other end of the spectrum in its last three games.

“We’ve lost our last three games by a total of 37 points,” coach Andy Butcher said. “I’d like to say we’re right there. Honestly we have not yet played our best basketball.”

Butcher introduced players Ivette Gil, Gigi Gallegos and Sylvia Hoover and said they arranged last Saturday’s “Think Pink” breast cancer awareness game. He also brought sophomore Maddie Carlentine.

Bishop Diego boys basketball assistant Patrick Davis cited Andre Kohansamad and Thomas Lash as two players who come off the bench and provide good quality minutes.

Laguna Blanca athletic director Mike Biermann said freshman Steven McCaffery has played well in place of injured Troy Ritter on the basketball team. He also praised the defensive play of Athlete of the Week Logan Elder. “He really pushes our team to the next level.”

Bishop Diego girls basketball coach Jeff Burich recognized freshman Jordyn Lilly for battling back from a knee surgery and making big contributions to the team. He also noted the improved play of post player Julia Jenkins.

Westmont’s men’s and women’s basketball teams had the pleasure of hosting a group of four coaches from Uganda.

Their visit was arranged by Westmont alum, Dr. Jens Olmi, assistant professor of health, exercise and sports sciences at Texas Tech and director of the International Sport Connection. It was funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Sports United Division.

The coaches — Nicholas Twesigye, Immaculate “Chocho” Nalwaddaa, Ayeet Timothy Odeke and Carolnie Nyafwono — also visited the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., watched a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and went to Columbia University and UCLA. Their next stop is Knoxville, Tenn., where they hope to meet coaching legend Pat Summitt.

Westmont men’s coach John Moore expressed his excitement about his team.

“We’ve got incredible unity, we’re 15-4 and we’re nationally ranked. If you want to come out and see a team that’s ferocious and fierce, come out and see us play Tuesday night (against Vanguard),” he said.

Kirsten Moore said she hopes her team can finish the way it started. Her No. 4 Warriors are 20-1 going into Tuesday’s showdown with ninth-ranked Vanguard.

Dos Pueblos athletic director Dan Feldhaus said it was a playoff atmosphere when Santa Barbara visited the Elings Aquatic Center for last week’s Channel League water polo match.

Speaking for coach Chris Parrish, Feldhaus said the 9-8 win will get the team ready for this weekend’s Southern California Championships in Newport Beach. Feldhaus brought goalie Britten Vilander, the Athlete of the Week, and senior Kodi Hill. “Chris calls her one of the best defenders in high school water polo,” said Feldhaus.

Hill has committed to UCLA, where she will join her sister, goalie Sami Hill.

Santa Barbara coach Mark Walsh said he had the pleasure of coaching Vilander and Kodi Hill in club water polo and they helped his team win a national championship.

Walsh praised DP’s performance and added his team learned a lot from that game.

“They left us a lot to learn. It will be good for us down the road and we’ll be better prepared for the playoffs. That’s what we’re looking for,” said Walsh.

He brought reserve players Megan Bergthold and Sophie Maes, who were instrumental in the Dons shutting out Ventura 11-0 last Tuesday.

San Marcos’ Roth said the season has been “full of ups and downs, but I’m really proud of where we’re at right now.”

He introduced players Miranda Day and Hannah Turk and noted the 7-14 record doesn’t how good the team is playing. The Royals have a huge game against Ventura on Tuesday.

After knocking off perennial league champion Malibu, Carpinteria girls water polo coach Bryan Swarm said, “If we finish out the season the way we think we will, we’ll at least get a part of the league championship, which will be a first for Carpinteria High School.”

Swarm brought team captains Morgan Cook and Tatiana Verdugo.

San Marcos girls soccer coach Christy Lozano cited Shayna Carroll and Sarah Andrews as two players who are playing with lots of confidence during a tough season.

The confidence is high at Carpinteria High for girls soccer. Lucy Carleton’s team finished the first round of Frontier League play undefeated and started the second round with a 2-1 overtime win at Bishop Diego.

Carleton introduced two key players who play the thankless positions on the field, goalkeeper Sally Lam and sweeper Kelsey Drain. Both players are three-sport athletes.

Laurie Leighty, SBART president-elect, announced that the annual Women in Sports Luncheon is next Monday at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. The event is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, the law that requires gender equity to every educational program that is federally funded.

The guest speaker is professional golfer Pearl Sinn-Bonanni.

Katie Spieler

Katie Spieler gets after it on the volleyball court and in the classroom.

On the court, the senior libero for the Dos Pueblos girls volleyball team has the mindset she can pass any serve and dig every spike. In academics, it’s also about doing her best and achieving the highest grade.

Dos Pueblos volleyball star Katie Spieler carries a 4.71 grade point average.

Spieler on Monday was honored as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Dos Pueblos at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.

Spieler’s academic credentials include a 4.71 grade point average with a course load of college-level economics, advanced placement English and AP American Government. She’s a member of the DP’s student government, holding down the responsibilities of the ASB Treasurer for two years.

Her college plans include pursuing a degree accounting and studying to become a Certified Public Accountant and a teacher.

As for volleyball, Spieler is a tiger on the court. Her defense and passing have been instrumental in DP’s success. This past season the Chargers won the Channel League and advanced to the semifinals of the CIF 1-AA playoffs. In her junior year, they won the CIF 1-A title.

She was captain of the 2011 team and was voted the Most Valuable Player.

“She’s just a joy to coach,” said DP coach Todd Garrett. “Katie’s taught me some life lessons and so much about volleyball.”

Spieler, the daughter Kathy and Paul Spieler, was born to play volleyball. Her mom and siblings all played volleyball for Santa Barbara High. Her aunts, Lisa and Kelly Strand, were standout players who went on to play collegiately at Hawaii and Cal Poly, respectively, and later played professionally on the beach. Lisa was an All-American at Hawaii. Her uncle played on the Santa Barbara High team that included legends Karch Kiraly and John Hanley.

“My relatives have always inspired me in their amazing athletic and personal accomplishments, and I am so grateful to be raised in such a volleyball-dedicated family,” Spieler said in her statement to the Round Table Scholar-Athlete committee. “My mom introduced me to beach volleyball probably before I could walk, and she also coached by first indoor team in elementary school.”

Katie earned a beach triple-A rating at the age of 15.

She plans to play college indoor and beach volleyball, with an ultimate goal of playing professionally on the sand.

Dos Pueblos' Britten Vilander

Laguna Blanca's Logan Elder

Defense got rewarded with Athlete of the Week awards at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.

Logan Elder of Laguna Blanca boys basketball and Britten Vilander of the Dos Pueblos girls water polo team were the award winners.

Elder scored 27 points in a 59-45 win over Condor League rival Cate and then shut down one of Providence Hall’s leading scorers, holding him to just four points, in a 79-35 victory.

Vilander, the Chargers’ goalie, made 11 saves, including one with two seconds left in regulation time, in a dramatic 9-8 win over Santa Barbara that gave DP sole possession of first place. She also assisted on the game-winning goal for DP.

Steven Krouskopf

Special Olympics Athlete of the Month: Steven Krouskopf received the award for his play in floor hockey.

Krouskopf, who works at the Vons in Montecito, has played several sports in his 10 years in Special Olympics, and floor hockey is his favorite, said Round Table board member Aaron Brown.

Krouskopf’s coach, Jaime Rutiaga, called the athlete “a class act out there. Floor hockey, as you know, can be a very aggressive sport,” he said.

A left winger, Krouskopf scored a hat trick at a tournament in Irvine and helped Santa Barbara capture the gold medal at a second Irvine tournament.

“We used to have doubleheaders at movie theaters, where you get to see a twin bill,” Moore recalled at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe. “Well, it’s great to come to Westmont these days because you can see a great twin bill. You’ll see a phenomenal women’s team play and see a men’s team scratch and claw and try to look as good as the women’s team right now. They warm up the gym for us.”

Steven Krouskopf was honored as the Special Olympics Athlete of the Month for his performance in floor hockey. Krouskopf helpd his team win the gold medal at a tournament in Irvine.

The Warrior teams have been providing plenty of thrills this season. They’re both in first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference and ranked in the NAIA national polls.

Preston Branson has been the leading man for the No. 12 Westmont men’s team. The junior from Texas poured in 35 points on 12-of-14 shooting from the field in 90-85 win over No. 6-ranked Concordia in Irvine. It ended a 10-game losing streak against the Eagles.

“He’s an incredible competitor,” Moore said of Branson. “What you want more than anything on your team is you want a guy who plays best when it’s the most important.”

Moore said Branson’s Texas roots make him special.

“He’s a Texan and he plays like most Texans do — they really believe their state is where we all come from. They play the game with a great deal of heart,” said Moore.

Westmont women’s coach Kirsten Moore said she’s impressed with the men’s team.

“Our men’s team is playing better than I’ve ever seen in my seven years at Westmont,” she said. “A lot of it is due to this guy here, Preston, but a lot really has to do with their teamwork and the enthusiasm at what they’re doing, and their competitiveness.”

Kristen Moore’s team also is playing at a high level. Last week, the fourth-ranked Warriors gutted out a two-point win over Master’s at home and then won at Concordia.

She pointed out the Westmont teams travel together for road games and neither have suffered a loss.

“So far, when we travel together we’re undefeated on the road this year. The plan is to keep that going,” said Kirsten Moore.

Rich Hanna, Santa Barbara Round Table president, suggested that any local team that is struggling might want to get on the bus with the Westmont basketball teams.

UCSB men’s basketball team was on the TV screen on Saturday against Long Beach, and assistant coach David Campbell hoped not many people tuned in to watch the game.

The Gauchos were routed 71-48 by the 49ers.

“We didn’t play very well from the get-go,” said Campbell. “The thing that was disheartening was we had a great crowd. The game was sold out, 6,000 people in the stands. You got to give Long Beach credit, they played really well.”

The Gauchos hit the road for seven of their next eight games.

“We’re still confident in our guys,” Campbell said. “We still have a shot to win the Big West.”

Coming off an double-overtime win at Big West-leading Cal State Northridge, UCSB women’s assistant Courtney Locke encouraged fans to come out to the Gauchos’ home against against UC Davis (Thursday) and Pacific (Saturday) this week.

In high school basketball, Bishop Diego girls coach Jeff Burich said an example of how much his team’s improved was evident in a recent Tri-Valley League game against St. Bonaventure. In December, the Cardinals trailed the Seraphs by 31 at halftime, and last week they were down by only one.

“We saw improvement with the kids,” said Burich, who brought sophomore post player Colleen Duley and junior spark plug Michelle Garcia.

Bishop Diego boys assistant coach Patrick Davis introduced seniors Reese Moulton and Nolan Tisdale as two players who have helped the team start league play on a good note. Tisdale is one of the team’s best 3-pointer shooters and Moulton is the leading rebounder.

Davis also noted that the future looks bright for Bishop basketball as his JV team is 16-0.

Devin Uyesaka is going through a tough first year as the girls varsity coach at San Marcos.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and sickness,” he said. “There are times we’ve had five to six girls at practice, so it’s hard to beat teams.”

Speaking for boys coach Jarrod Bradley, Uyesaka said the Royals have a big game Wednesday at Santa Barbara. The teams will be playing for sole possession of second place in the Channel League.

Kim Kjar, speaking for Santa Barbara boys basketball coach David Bregante, said the Dons have turned things around with the help of players like Teon West and Emilio Gonzalez.

“We’re 10-8 and 4-2 in league, and we haven’t been in that position in a few years,” Kjar said. “We’re looking tow make a push for the playoffs this year.”

Longtime Santa Barbara girls coach Andrew Butcher said his team has been struggling as of late, but he’s been pleased with the improved play of Amanda Temporal, Alyssa Cosio and Michalia Miller.

Butcher noted that the Dons will be hosting their “Think Pink” game on Saturday against Rio Mesa at 4:30. Rio Mesa won the Green Division title at the Tournament of Champions in December.

Several high school soccer coaches were in attendance.

Alfredo Martinez, longtime Santa Barbara boys assistant, said the Dons didn’t have any expectations at the start of the season, but it kept the same goals of posting 15 shutouts, 20 wins and winning the Channel League.

The Dons are 13-4-4 with 12 shutouts and finished the first round of Channel League play in first place. They’re also ranked fifth in CIF Division 1.

Martinez introduced senior team captains Alberto Hernandez and Tanner Wolf.

Santa Barbara girls assistant Brian Zieganhagen said he’s looking forward to better things from the team in the second half of the league season.

“We’re expecting a little bit more from the players, coaching staff and the mentality of the school,” he said.

Ziegenhagen introduced team captain Karly Graf. “She’s one of the leaders to keep the team together,” he said.

San Marcos coach Christy Lozano said her team has played better than its 0-2-2 record in Channel League play.

Lozano said defenders Kaylin Koopmans and Ashley Carney have played solid in the back for the Royals, who open the second round of league play at home Tuesday against Dos Pueblos at 6 p.m.

Brent Gonsalves noted Bishop Diego’s record of 9-4-2 is evidence that the team has made great strides.

The team posted two wins last week after losing two in a row the week before.

“One of things I dislike about high school soccer sometimes is having Christmas break,” said Gonsalves, referring to the two losses after the holidays. “Coming back from break, we weren’t as sharp as we were before break.”

Gonsalves brought his team captains Catriona Reddington and Jordan Price.

“We’re looking to continue our successful run and position ourselves to get in the playoffs this year,” he said.

Carpinteria’s girls have visions of making the playoffs. Lucy Carleton’s young team is unbeaten in league and tied for first place.

Carleton introduced two freshmen who have made a big impact on the squad, Monica Garcia and Lesly Zapata, and senior goalkeeper Tania Arroyo. Garcia is the team’s leading scorer.

“We have a very fine freshman class,” Carleton said. “The only other time I had this many freshman on varsity was in our championship year in 2008. That would be a good sign.”

Carleton also introduced Ricky Zerreno from the boys soccer team. She cited his hard work on the field and in the classroom.

Dos Pueblos boys coach Matt York said his team is starting to come together after some early season injuries

“Our season has been a challenging one for us so far,” he said. “The expectations were high because we’re coming off two years where we went deep in the playoffs and we were hoping to continue that ride this year.”

The Chargers ended the first round of league play by rallying from two goals down and tying Buena 2-2.

York brought Scott Terry, who scored both goals against Buena, and defender Oscar Escamilla.

The Chargers return to action Thursday at home against San Marcos.

Special Olympics Athlete of the Month: Steven Krouskopf received the award for his play in floor hockey.

Krouskopf, who works at the Vons in Montecito, has played several sports in his 10 years in Special Olympics, and floor hockey is his favorite, said Round Table board member Aaron Brown.

Krouskopf’s coach, Jaime Rutiaga, called the athlete “a class act out there. Floor hockey, as you know, can be a very aggressive sport,” he said.

A left winger, Krouskopf scored a hat trick at a tournament in Irvine and helped Santa Barbara capture the gold medal at a second Irvine tournament.

UCSB's Kelsey Adrian

Westmont's Preston Branson

Westmont College basketball player Preston Branson and UCSB women’s basketball player Kelsey Adrian have been named Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athletes of the Week.

Branson had a monster performance in No. 16 Westmont’s 90-85 victory at sixth-ranked Irvine-Concordia in the GSAC game. Branson, a junior from Texas, scored 35 points, making 12 of 14 shots from the field and 10 of 13 three throws. The win snapped a 10-game losing streak against Concordia and ended the Eagles’ 24-game home-court winning streak.

Adrian tied  her career high with 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made a key defensive play late in the second overtime of a 71-67 win at Big West leader Cal State Northridge.

Because of there was no press luncheon on the Martin Luther King holiday, (Jan. 16), the Round Table is recognizing Athletes of Week for that week.

Santa Barbara High's Alfredo Ibarra

Carpinteria High's Monica Garcia

The award winners are Santa Barbara High boys soccer player Alfredo Ibarra and Monica Garcia, a freshman on the Carpinteria High girls soccer team.

In a week of Channel League rivalry games, Ibarra scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 decision over San Marcos and added a goal in a 2-0 victory over Dos Pueblos.

Garcia scored the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Bishop Diego and followed that up with a hat trick in a 7-1 romp over Villanova Prep.

Dos Pueblos' Jessica Escalante

San Marcos' Sam Strong

Sam Strong took home the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Male Athlete of the Week award on Monday for scoring in both of San Marcos’ soccer games last week.

Strong’s game-winner on Tuesday lifted the Royals to a 2-1 win over Dos Pueblos. The sophomore scored again on Thursday as the Royals managed to tie unbeaten Ventura 1-1.

Dos Pueblos’ Jessica Escalante won the Female Athlete of the Week award by leading the Chargers to a pair of victories last week. Escalante tallied 14 points, five rebounds and five assists on Tuesday, and added 17 points in Saturday’s 64-60 overtime win at Pacifica. Escalante’s coast-to-coast scoring play in the final seconds of regulation forced overtime and gave DP the opportunity to win.

San Marcos High School's Jordan Lund

San Marcos’ Jordan Lund was given the Phil Womble Ethics Award on Monday. For the first time, the recipient was given Phil Womble’s book, “Never Give Up,” with other prizes provided by luncheon sponsor Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.

“Wow, this is such an honor to receive this award,” Lund said after being introduced by her tennis coach Jarrod Bradley.

She thanked her parents, coaches, the San Marcos administration, and Phil Womble, who was in attendance, for their support.

Lund was the sophomore class president last year. This year Lund is the class vice president and played a leading role in putting together the fourth Kids Helping Kids benefit that just raised over $125,000 in charity on Saturday.

“She’s always complimentary to her opponents,” Bradley said. “We’re lucky to have her as a Royal.”

San Marcos' Jordan Lund was this year's Phil Womble Award winner for the Royals.

Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon was the first of 2012, and a host of coaches, athletes, and community members dropped by Harry’s Plaza Cafe to share how they’re doing in the new year.

Twenty teams were represented in total, with each giving a report on their team’s seasons. San Marcos High School was recognized with several awards before the coaches’ reports, as Jordan Lund, Tony Becerra, and Sam Strong received special awards. Dos Pueblos’ Jessica Escalante was also singled out as Female Athlete of the Week.

SBART Boardmember Laurie Leighty officially announced February’s Women in Sports Luncheon at Earl Warren Showgrounds. This year’s keynote speaker will be former LPGA pro golfer Pearl Sinn-Bonanni, who is currently head coach at Cal State Fullerton. The luncheon, presented by Community West Bank, is on Monday, February 6 at 11:30 a.m.

The first coach up at the podium was Westmont’s women’s basketball head coach Kirsten Moore. The Warriors are arguably having the best time so far in 2012, enjoying the best start in school history with a 14-1 record.

“I think people are catching on to how fun we are to watch,” Moore said.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams at Westmont host a double-header on Saturday starting at 5:30 p.m.

Moore’s year started off great and hasn’t slowed down. The Oregon alum was taken to the Rose Bowl by school president Gayle Beebe to watch her Ducks beat Wisconsin.

Wrestling coach Tony Becerra started coaching at San Marcos in 1999.

Since then, the Warriors are 2-0 including a win at No. 8 Vanguard. It was the first time Moore has won in Costa Mesa.

John Moore’s men’s team is also off to a trememdous start with a record of 11-2. The Warrior men won both of their games last week as well.

San Marcos’ Lund was given the Phil Womble Ethics Award. For the first time, the recipient was given Phil Womble’s book, “Never Give Up,” with other prizes provided by luncheon sponsor Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.

“Wow, this is such an honor to receive this award,” Lund said after being introduced by her tennis coach Jarrod Bradley.

She thanked her parents, coaches, the San Marcos administration, and Phil Womble, who was in attendance, for their support.

Lund was the sophomore class president last year. This year Lund is the class vice president and played a leading role in putting together the fourth Kids Helping Kids benefit that just raised over $125,000 in charity on Saturday.

Female Athlete of the Week Jessica Escalante

“She’s always complimentary to her opponents,” Bradley said. “We’re lucky to have her as a Royal.”

After Lund, San Marcos Athletic Director Abe Jahadhmy presented Tony Becerra with the Royals’ Coach of the Year award. Becerra has been an integral part of San Marcos wrestling during the last decade.

“When he realised the program was going to go down for the count, he came back,” Jahadmy said.

Becerra restarted the Royals’ wrestling program in 1999 and has coached a State Champion in Alex Mack and an CIF Academic Champion in Zach Belway.

“The focus has always been the kids,” Becerra said.

Sam Strong kept it going for the Royals, taking home the Male Athlete of the Week award for scoring in both of San Marcos’ soccer games last week. Strong’s game-winner on Tuesday lifted the Royals to a 2-1 win over Dos Pueblos and Strong scored again on Thursday as the Royals managed to tie unbeaten Ventura 1-1.

Dos Pueblos’ Jessica Escalante won the Female Athlete of the Week award by leading the Chargers to a pair of victories last week. Escalante tallied 14 points, five rebounds and five assists on Tuesday, and added 17 points in Saturday’s 64-60 overtime win at Pacifica. Escalante’s coast-to-coast scoring play in the final seconds of regulation forced overtime and gave DP the opportunity to win.

There were a bevy of basketball teams in the Ranchero Room. Carpinteria’s head coaches Dan Mercer and Johnny Ward were present, bringing players Juli Cullens, Bethany Lugo, Marcus Hutchinson, and Xavier DeAlba. From Providence Hall, head coaches Keith Luberto and Arianna Gnekow introduced Brian Briones, Olivia Barroca, and Hannah Park. From Santa Barbara High’s teams, Andrew Butcher and boys assistant Andy Gil brought Matt Wagonhurst, Brendan Fay, Yolanda Gonzalez, Joanna Pinedo, and Saralisa Ortega.

San Marcos and Santa Barbara High’s boys teams engaged in a double overtime clash at SBCC’s Sports Pavilion last Wednesday. Both sides were still talking about it.

San Marcos' Sam Strong

“I think a lot of you probably were at the game on Wednesday,” said Royals head coach Jarrod Bradley, who brought Christian Widmer and Greg Zajic. “Big runs by both teams and huge shots by both teams.”

The Dons prevailed and the two teams have two more meetings remaining this season to look forward to.

Mark Walsh had great success to report from Santa Barbara High’s girls water polo team. The Dons host their Tournament of Champions this weekend with many of the state’s top water polo programs competing.

The Dons, represented at the luncheon by Charlotte Hendrix and Belle Cutbirth, are a top seed in one of four groups and a threat to win it all. Santa Barbara nearly won Newport Harbor’s Holiday Cup on New Year’s Eve. THe Dons lost by one goal in the championship match after beating top-ranked and undefeated Corona del Mar in the semifinals.

There is no luncheon next Monday for the Martin Luther King holiday.

Dos Pueblos girls basketball coach Jelani Hicks spoke about the Chargers girls and boys teams.

Cheers to Channel League basketball.

With Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon being the last of 2011, most of the league’s teams were feeling cheery heading into the holidays.

And with good reason.

San Marcos’ boys team is coming off their third straight championship at the Coast Union Tournament and Santa Barbara’s girls remain undefeated after seven games. Dos Pueblos’ girls team has a tournament title under its belt already this season and the Santa Barbara Dons boys just won three-of-four games at the Arroyo Grande Tournament

“”San Marcos boys basketball had a great week last week,” said Royals head coach Jarrod Bradley, who was impressed with his team’s ability to top the quality of teams in the tournament.

Bradley will be a sports radio guest on AM 1450 tomorrow afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: Cate's Ema Boateng

“Talking about Channel League basketball and really hyping up athletics in Santa Barbara,” he said.

The radio appearance coincides with the opening of the boys Channel League season on Wednesday. The Royals travel to crosstown foe Dos Pueblos on Wednesday before taking on defending CIF-ss champion Ventura in the Thunderhut on Friday.

Bradley brought players Greg Zajic and Cade Ridenour, who knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 20 points in the Royals’ title-clinching win over St. Joseph.

Bradley also mentioned former Channel Leaguers Roberto Nelson, who’s at Oregon State, and James Ennis, at Long Beach State, as topics for the radio show. Former Charger Julyan Stone is at an even higher level, having  just signed with the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

Nelson’s alma mater, Santa Barbara High, opens up league play on Friday and has won three of its last four. The one game the Dons lost was by a single point.

“I’m happy with where we are right now considering that we’ve had 10 practices,” said Dons head coach David Bregante. “I think we’re getting better. The kids are getting excited about competing and having some success.”

On the girls side, Andrew Butcher’s unbeaten Dons don’t begin league play until 2012. Butcher brought three players to Harry’s, Desiree Coleman, Melissa Lemus, and Amanda Temporal.

His most recent NCAA product, Tess Emerson, will be playing at the Thunderdome on Friday for Pepperdine against UCSB.

Dos Pueblos’ girls coach Jelani Hicks was there to talk about his own team’s successes as well as represent Joe Zamora and the boys team.

Mansai Conner, Daniel Vickers, Chiara DiMarco, Jessica Escalante, Taryn Ouellette, and Natalie Hilton were introduced to the crowd by Hicks.

Other luncheon highlights:

—Karen Feuer was named Sportsperson of the Month. Feuer has run Santa Barbara High School’s Evening for the Athletes program for three years now, helping raise more than $50,000 for Dons athletics.

“Whether driving, putting together a large event or organizing a banquet, Karen can always be counted on,” said Santa Barbara Athletic Director Nan Verkaik.

Karen is a parent of high school athletes and has also given time to the tennis and baseball programs specifically.

Annie Weis

—Ema Boateng and Annie Weis make this week’s set of Athletic Round Table Athletes of the Week an all-Cate School affair.

Both soccer players, Weis and Boateng led their respective teams to quality results last week. Weis, a senior, scored seven goals and added an assist for good measure in a three-game stretch in which the Rams won 2-of-3 games at the Grace Brethren Tournament. The loss was at the hands of Sierra Canyon, which is a defending CIF-ss champion.

Boateng is the returning CIF-ss Division 7 Player of the Year and has gotten off to a great start this season. Boateng scored twice in Friday’s 4-3 loss to Pacifica but came back on Saturday to spearhead one of Cate soccer biggest victories in school history. Boateng scored the second goal in a 2-0 decision over JSerra, which was ranked No. 1 in Division 1 and No. 10 in the country according to ESPN.

—Carpinteria High School coaches Dan Mercer and Lucy Carleton brought players, Tania Arroyo and Cristina Valdez for soccer, and basketball players Lauren Mingee and Lauren Taira.

“I guess I brought some pretty well-rounded Laurens,” Mercer said after highlighting everything they do off the basketball court.

—Matthew McPeters was awarded as Special Olympics’ Athlete of the Month.

McPeters, who went to Santa Barbara High and works at UCSB, sparked a late-inning rally for his softball team with a hit to help them come back from a 4-2 deficit to win the game.

McPeters – a Special Olympics athlete for five years – also competes in floor hockey and bowling.

—UCSB women’s basketball assistant Heather Zurich quickly recalled the Gauchos’ tough last-second loss to UNLV over the weekend and invited people to come and watch them host Pepperdine at the Thunderdome on Friday.