Calabasas Readies for Basketball Playoffs

Calabasas High’s boys basketball team peaked at the right time: It ended the regular season with four consecutive victories, including Thursday's 72–59 win over cross-town rival Agoura in the final.

Playoff pairings are scheduled to be released Sunday. After finishing third in the tough eight-team Marmonte League, the Coyotes should be in good shape.

“We have a winning streak going for the last few games, and I hope our team has improved,” coach Jon Palarz said.

Calabasas hopes to earn a top-eight seed in the Southern Section Div. III-A playoffs.

“I’m optimistic we can win some games, but there are some tough teams in the top of the division like Harvard-Westlake, Crespi and Damien," Palarz said. "It’s a competitive division, and even though some of the teams like Gahr, Compton and Corona del Mar are no longer in Div. III-A, I’m not discounting how tough it is.”

The Marmonte League was grueling, as Calabasas lost twice to first-place Simi Valley by two points, and twice defeated second-place Thousand Oaks by one point.

“It’s been very competitive, as competitive as any league I’ve ever been involved with,” Palarz said.

Two of Calabasas’ key players are Callum Dewar and Nick Justman.

“Callum has been very, very effective through league season. He played a great game against T.O. at their place,” Palarz said. “Nick Justman is our center, and he’s a great addition. We have pretty balanced scoring.”

PIERCE MAKING MOVES AS NEW FOOTBALL COACH

New football coach Christian Pierce just got the job, but he is already making things happen by bringing in two former NFL players as assistants—Chris Hayes and Matthew Hatchette.

Hayes played seven years as a defensive back with the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. Hatchette played six seasons as a receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.

Pierce, who replaced Larry Edwards, continues to iron out his staff. He has retained assistants Kirk Jennings (defensive line) and Tommy Flavin (quarterbacks). Pierce also has promoted  lower-level assistants Andy Falk (running backs) and Ken Cummins (special teams).

“I think we’ll be very competitive this upcoming season. I am very excited,” Pierce said.

In other football news, the Marmonte League will split off from 10 teams to two five-team leagues, beginning in the 2011–12 season.

“I think it’s good. I think it will add a lot and allow more schools to have success,” Pierce said.

One benefit is Marmonte teams will have more nonleague games instead of just one.

“It really benefits us because we can renew some rivalries like Calabasas versus El Camino Real,” Pierce said.

PLAY BALL

Baseball season is starting up again, and Calabasas opens at Harvard-Westlake on March 4. That will begin what returning standout Alex Rubanowitz hopes will be a more successful season than last year, when the Coyotes finished 13–15 and placed sixth in the Marmonte League.

As a junior, shortstop Rubanowitz batted .341 with three home runs, 11 RBIs, 16 walks and six stolen bases. He has signed with UC Riverside.

“We look pretty good. We’ve been playing well in winter league,” Rubanowitz said.

Calabasas returns top pitchers Sean Landecker (5-5, 5.17 ERA) and Travis Cassidy (4-4, 2.60 ERA), and Rubanowitz also proved an effective pitcher by going 2-1 with a 4.48 ERA.

“If our pitching holds up with Sean and Travis, we should be OK,” Rubanowitz said.

An impressive newcomer is sophomore Brandon Post, a right-hand hitting outfielder who can also pitch.

“He’s built like a man, and he crushes the ball,” Rubanowitz said.