Vikings Squads Need to Finish Strong

For all intents and purposes, the playoffs have already begun for the boys and girls basketball teams. The boys sit at 4-4 in the Ocean League, behind Inglewood (7-1), Culver City (5-3) and Morningside (5-3), heading into this week's final regular season games.

The Vikings must win their final two games at home—against Morningside on Tuesday and last-place Hawthorne on Thursday—to have a shot at third place and a postseason berth.

The girls, meanwhile, posted two big victories last week to move into second place at 6-2 in the Ocean League, one game back of Inglewood (7-1) and one game up on third-place Culver City (5-3). The Vikings' last two games are against teams they have already beaten. They host Morningside on Tuesday and travel to Hawthorne for their league finale Thursday.

Coming off a win over Culver City and a tie with Beverly Hills, the boys soccer team has already clinched first place in the Ocean League. At 5-0-1, Coach Serafin Rodriguez' team holds a comfortable lead over second-place Hawthorne (5-3-0) heading into the final two games, both at home. The Vikings play fourth-place Morningside on Tuesday and host Hawthorne on Thursday. Samohi beat the Cougars 3-1 in the first round of league.

As for the girls soccer team, the Vikings are sailing in uncharted waters—they're in danger of seeing their seven-year reign as league champions come to an end. Samohi (6-1-1) is half a game behind frontrunning Beverly Hills (7-1-0) with two games left. If the Vikings take care of business against Hawthorne and Morningside (both schools are winless in league play) and the Normans stumble against Inglewood or Culver City, Samohi could still gain a share of the title or even win it outright.  

In girls water polo, Samohi continues to top the Ocean League standings and top scorer continues to score goals by the bucketful. She had 53 goals and 14 assists heading into the Vikings' game against Beverly Hills.