Schools
Malibu Sharks Place 3rd in Clash on the Coast
The boys varsity basketball team finishes the tournament with a three-game win streak.
started off slowly, but finished well in the recent Clash on the Coast Tournament for boys varsity basketball at Pacifica High in Oxnard.
Malibu opened the tournament with an 84-49 loss to eventual champion Oxnard. Sophomores Justin Holmes (19 points and 9 rebounds) and Anthony Kodomichalos (10 points and 7 rebounds) fought hard to keep the Sharks in the contest, but Oxnard broke the game open in the third quarter.
The Sharks' first victim was Sun Valley, which they defeated 75-46 behind Holmes' 34 points and 14 rebounds and senior Jack Platner's 12 points and 6 assists. Kodomichalos also scored 10 points.
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Sun Valley kept it close until halftime, then the Sharks forged ahead and were never troubled for the remainder of the contest.
Malibu faced Lompoc on Friday. The Sharks were down by one point at halftime, but rallied in the third quarter to win 67-43. Platner had the hot hand, missing only one field goal and scoring 21 points. Holmes continued his good pre-season form with 18 points and 14 rebounds and senior Kyle Sandler added 8 points and 8 assists.
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The next night, the Sharks faced host Pacifica to determine who would place third in the tournament. The game was tied at the end of the first quarter, and Malibu faced a four-point deficit at halftime.
Pacifica pressed Malibu for most of the game, causing the Sharks to turn over the ball on numerous possessions. Midway through the third quarter, Malibu was down by nine points. Head Coach Bobby Tenorio called a timeout and decided to go small to match the speed of the Pacifica guards. The decision paid off as the Sharks broke Pacifica's press, were efficient at the free throw line (hitting 19 of 25 shots) and pulled away in the fourth quarter to win 55-47.
Malibu held Pacifica to just seven points in the fourth quarter. Holmes led the Sharks with 22 points and 21 rebounds and Jack Platner added 11 points.
The Sharks head off to Rio Mesa on Thursday and Hueneme on Friday to complete their local pre-season matches. The team will fly to Orlando, Fla. during the winter break for the KSA Holiday Tournament.
Malibu will play its first Frontier League game Jan. 6 at Santa Paula. The Sharks' home opener is Jan. 13 against Villanova at 7 p.m.
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