Nakamine Gets 'Em Back at the Charity Stripe

Mira Costa’s senior point guard Kylie Nakamine, who is the picture of focus and calm on the court, has established herself as a leader.

The 5-foot-4 Mustang consistently makes big plays for her team, which will be the Bay League’s No. 2 entry in the CIF playoffs, but she seldom lets her emotions boil over—good or bad.

Mira Costa girls basketball coach Craig Takahashi has taken Nakamine out of only two games this season, and affectionately calls her “my rock.”

“She’s got that little Zen quality at the [free throw] line,” Takahashi said. “She thinks to herself, ‘This is where I have to solidify everything that’s going on on the court.’ She stays calm and she does it.”

Nakamine tied a California state record back on Jan. 28 when she went 18-for-18 at the free throw line in a 57-44 victory over West Torrance. It was no one-game fluke in an amazing senior season.

After going 6-for-6 Tuesday night in a win over Peninsula, Nakamine has made 152 of 163 free throws this season. That’s 93.3 percent, which is believed to be best in the nation.

“I don’t like talking about it that much,” the modest Nakamine responded Thursday when Patch asked what she thinks about her accomplishments.

“I don’t really know what to say about it,” she said, just hours before a regular-season-ending game against Palos Verdes. “I’m just doing the same thing. It’s just this season everything has worked out. One of our main focuses as a team is free throw shooting. That’s helped, I guess.”

There is no secret to her Zen-like calmness at the free throw line, she added.

“I just take two bounces of the ball, try to get my rhythm and then shoot,” she said. “So far it’s worked out.”

Making a Constant Transition

It has been a difficult season for Redondo boys basketball coach Tom Maier, who has had to build a team while dealing with injuries and transfers, but his Sea Hawks are finishing on a good note.

The Sea Hawks clinched at least third place in league and a berth in the CIF playoffs by winning Tuesday at Palos Verdes, 53-51. 

“After everything that’s happened, we made the playoffs,” Maier said. “It’s been a struggle with adversity all year, but we’re playing pretty good basketball now.”

Transfers Martyre DeMarco from Arizona and Jacquise Bates from New York helped make up for the loss of starters Brandon Boyd (who returned in January from knee surgery but is still not 100 percent) and Austin Moore, who suffered season-ending back problems soon after his return a month ago.

“If we’d had those two guys healthy with the transfers we got, we would have been a pretty special team,” Maier said. “DeMarco and Bates just came out of the blue. Contrary to what some may think, I don’t go to New York [or Arizona] looking for players.”

DeMarco is a team leader with his ball handling and scoring ability. Quietly, the 6-foot-2 senior has had a fine season, averaging 14 points and three assists a game.

“He’s a little unorthodox,” Maier said. “I’m pleased he dropped into our laps. He’s strictly a point guard, loves to handle the ball. He’s a competitor. He’s not flashy, but he can shoot the ball outside or go inside at times.”

The season still could include a CIF-2AA playoff run for the Sea Hawks, who have survived a very competitive Bay League.

“It’s been a roller coaster year—challenging in trying to get the team to improve under the circumstances,” Maier said. “There is still a chance for us in the playoffs to do something. It depends on the draw, but I think we’ll be competitive. It’s been such a competitive year in the Bay League, we’ll be prepared for the pressure.”

Wrestlers Face Dual Meet

Bay League champion West Torrance and Peninsula will be at the CIF dual meet championships Saturday at Western High in Anaheim.

Bay League wrestlers , including those from West and Peninsula, will compete for individual honors next weekend.

West dominated the Bay League individual championships, as expected. The Warriors qualified 13 wrestlers. Ten of those won their individual weight classes.

Justin Tam (152) and Justin Lau (160) won individual championships for Peninsula. Joe Beck took the 135-pound crown for Mira Costa. Redondo’s Matt Ulizio moved up in weight and took the heavyweight title by pinning West’s Mo Faqhi in the first period.

Before the championships, Redondo coach Arond Schonberg listed Ulizio as someone who could surprise.

“He’s a very talented young guy who is just learning,” Schonberg said.