Sharks B-Ball Completes Perfect League Season

The  boys varsity basketball team celebrated senior night on Wednesday with a 53-34 win over Carpinteria in front of another packed house at the Shark Tank. Even though the Sharks sealed the Frontier League title with , this week's victory puts the 2011-12 team (18-7, 10-0 in Frontier League) into school history as the first varsity basketball team to finish the league season without a loss.

It was a game full of emotion and heart, with every player seeing time on the court and contributing to a successful night. Malibu's next challenge is the postseason. The schedule will be released on Saturday.

Prior to the game, there was a touching ceremony to introduce the seniors one last time in front of the home crowd during the regular season. Guards Kyle Sandler, Jack Platner and Patrick Fontenette, forward Harrison Kaplan and center Parker Smith were presented to the raucous crowd by their teammates. The players were also presented jerseys signed by the team members as mementos of their time on the varsity squad.

Head coach Bobby Tenorio followed Malibu High tradition and started all five seniors in the first quarter. It was clear that emotion was getting the better of Malibu as the Warriors jumped out to an early 8-5 lead. Tenorio then put in regular starters—junior forward Will Rosenthal, sophomore center Justin Holmes and sophomore guard Anthony Kodomichalos.

Rosenthal, Holmes and Kodomichalos proved that the seniors were leaving the team in good hands. These three immediately brought focus onto both the defense and offense, with Kodomichalos driving to the basket, drawing the defense and dishing to Holmes for the easy layup.

This seemed to spark the Sharks, and they finished the quarter on a 9-4 run capped off by Fontenette driving to the basket and dishing to Rosenthal at the baseline, where he drained the three-point shot. Malibu finished the quarter ahead 14-12 (on six for 12 shooting), and that was as close as the Sharks allowed Carpinteria to get.

The second quarter opened with Malibu continuing to apply pressure to the Warriors on both sides of the court. There were flashes of brilliance everywhere. Fontenette showed his quick hands, gathering four steals for the half (five for the game), but the quarter just showed how much these players play as a team—with the 14 baskets scored in the half coming off 11 assists.

Malibu was also efficient with the ball, giving up just six turnovers. The Sharks headed to the long break leading 32-22 (shooting eight for 16). The only blemish for Malibu was that it missed all four free throws in the second quarter.

Tenorio had to keep his players focused during the break. The emotion of the night and history in the making could have derailed the pending festivities. The Malibu cheerleaders and dance team kept the crowd entertained as the anticipation grew. Could we dare say the game was in the refrigerator?

Tenorio went back to his regular starters to open the third quarter, and they did not disappoint. Malibu ratcheted up the defense and Carpinteria could not find any opportunity to score. The Sharks continued to work the ball inside to Holmes and finished the quarter on a spectacular drive by Fontenette to the basket for a layup that had the crowd on its feet.

Malibu ended the quarter up 43-30, continuing to shoot 50 percent from the field (five for 10 in the quarter). At this time, the Sharks could relax, and in the words of the great L.A. Lakers announcer Chick Hearn, "this game's in the refrigerator! The door's closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard and the Jell-O's jiggling ..." It was only a matter of the final score.

Emotions were running high, Malibu was staring at the clock and the game could not end fast enough. Again, Tenorio followed tradition by allowing the seniors to close out the game.

Cult figure Parker Smith whipped up the crowd with some moves to the basket. He was rewarded with free throws, ending the game with four points and as the only Shark not to miss from the line.

It seemed that the Warriors were also willing to follow the script by only scoring four points in the quarter.

Holmes scored a team-high 14 points. Sandler added nine and Rosenthal had eight points.

After time expired, the players came together at mid-court and the crowd stormed the court and swamped the players to celebrate the undefeated Frontier League champions as Freddie Mercury and Queen were pumping through the PA system. "We are the Champions, we are the champions!"

Tenorio was asked after the game if he thought 12 months ago that he would be in this position when the 2011-12 regular season ended. His response was simple, "No!"

He added, "Did we have the talent? Yes, there was never any doubt as to talent. However, were the guys willing to work hard? They worked their butts off and they delivered on their goal."

The Sharks celebrated Wednesday night, but it is back to work Thursday with training as they prepare for next week's playoffs. The schedule will be posted on Malibu Patch as soon as it is available.