GREAT EFFORT: In a game that stood out this school year, El Dorado quarterback Kane Wilson rallied his team to a victory in the CIF-SS championship contest. THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER FILE PHOTO |
OCVarsity Voice: They're his top 5, even if they run hot and cold
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The best games of the year had special moments, and some harsh weather, for Jason Eichelberger.
For someone who loves sports and all things related to sports as much as I do, being a trusted member of the media has forced me to give up the natural tendency of picking a favorite team or athlete.
Yet, as my first full year of covering high school sports in Orange County begins to wind down, I couldn’t help but reflect on all of the wonderful moments that I had the privilege to cover during the 2007-2008 athletic year.
Memorable games, extraordinary athletes, incredible races, and improbable finishes have compelled me to reveal my personal top five sporting moments from the games I covered this season.
Here is my list:
No. 5: Dec. 1, 2007, 28th Annual Lady Cat Classic Final, Narbonne 57, Brea Olinda 56
Rarely does a an early-season basketball game illicit comparisons to a CIF playoff game, but the feeling was quite prevalent during this clash of Southern Section heavyweights. Led by senior guard Jonae Ervin and freshman center Justine Hartman, the Ladycats raced out to a 14-5 lead. However the Gauchos' defense gradually tightened and by the end of the third quarter, they had forged a 42-37 advantage. The fourth quarter was a testament to intensity and hard-nosed basketball. The Ladycats scored 12 of their 19 fourth-quarter points from the free-throws line, including two by junior guard Kiana Lewis that gave Brea a 56-55 lead with 18 seconds left. On the Gauchos' ensuing possession, senior guard Reiko Thomas squeezed past two defenders along the baseline and hit a driving lay-up with less than four seconds left to give Narbonne the one-point victory.
No. 4: Dec. 7, 2007, CIF-SS Southwest Division Championship Game, El Dorado 13, Trabuco Hills 12
While huddled in the old press box at Orange Coast College with my Register colleague Chris Tobolski in a futile attempt to shield ourselves against a howling wind and incessant mist and rain, we witnessed one of the most thrilling finishes of the prep football season. Points were at a premium throughout, as the Golden Hawks and Mustangs engaged in a defensive battle. Mustangs quarterback Cory Brandt’s 2-yard run gave Trabuco Hills a 12-6 with 10:03 left in the game. On their ensuing drive, the Golden Hawks drove to the Mustangs' 1 but were unable to break through. El Dorado had one last chance, taking over at its 16, with 3:08 to go. Quarterback Kane Wilson led a gutsy 84-yard drive in 2:43, culminating with his 5-yard keeper to tie the score at 12. Kicker Chase Lansford then converted the first and only successful extra point of the night, giving the Golden Hawks a 13-12 lead. The Mustangs drove to the Golden Hawks' 35 on the game’s final possesion, but on the game’s last play, a fumbled hold clinched the Golden Hawks’ second consecutive Southwest title.
No. 3: Feb. 26, 2008, CIF-SS Girls Soccer Division I Semifinals, San Clemente 3, Mater Dei 2
The Tritons' season-long mantra of hard work, togetherness and determination was put to the ultimate test early in this contest against the defending Division I champions. Monarchs senior midfielder Justyne Freud scored twice in the first half and the Monarchs' defense was at its suffocating best. Many of the media contingency in attendance, including myself, gave the Tritons no chance of a comeback, even after freshman midfielder Frannie Coxe scored a goal early in the second half. The Tritons continued to struggle for quality scoring chances throughout the second half and defeat seemed imminent. However, what happened in the game’s final six minutes still defies explanation. San Clemente tied the score when sophomore forward Shelby Garcia’s high-arching bender from about 20 yards out twisted over the head of Monarchs goalie Darien Vercillo. Two minutes later, and from nearly the identical spot as the tying goal, junior forward Kelsey Wilson uncorked a high floater that drifted just over Vercillo’s outstretched fingertips and into the net, giving the Tritons the improbable victory and touching off an emotional and well-earned celebration.
No. 2: Feb. 16, 2008, CIF-SS Girls Soccer Division I First Round, Tesoro 1, Mater Dei 1 (Mater Dei advances on PK’s, 4-3)
In a game that started on a warm Saturday afternoon and ended on a chilly Saturday night, the Monarchs and Titans locked up in a first-round confrontation that had the feel of a championship encounter. The Monarchs controlled the game early and took a 1-0 lead on a goal by junior Mary Grace Schmidt. Schmidt also contributed to the game’s next goal, albeit for the wrong team, as the ball deflected off of her and into the net, tying the contest at 1. The game then settled into a clinic on defense, heart, and will, as neither team could crack the scoreboard through regulation and four overtime periods. With the sun and temperature dropping by the second, the teams embarked on a decisive shootout period. With the shootout tied at three, Monarchs goalie Darien Vercillo made one of the most spectacular saves of the season, stopping Titans forward Jaclyn Farah’s shot with a fully extended diving stop. After neither team could convert on their next attempt, Monarch forward Ellen Wilson booted home a line drive kick past Titan goalie Emily Lappi. Nearly three hours after it began (and two jackets later), the Monarchs advanced, though the true winners of the day were the fans, who were treated to a classic playoff soccer game.
No. 1: April 12, 2008, Arcadia Invitational-Girls 3200 Meter Invitational, Hasay edges Babcock
The hype surrounding the meet proved to just as hot as the temperature on the track (which was sweltering) as two of the best prep runners in the United States locked up in one of the best duels the prestigious meet had seen in a long time. Both Woodbridge senior Christine Babcock and Mission College Prep junior Jordan Hasay entered the race with more than impressive credentials, which made it no surprise that both girls separated themselves from the main pack early in the race. The runners were stride for stride over the first three laps, amid cheers from the crowd. Over the next four laps, it was Babcock who assumed a small lead, fighting off numerous challenges from Hasay. As the crowd and media members stood frozen in awed anticipation, the girls entered the final lap side by side and remained that way until the final 100 meters, where Hasay (10:03.07) found just enough to slip past Babcock (10:04.03) for the win. Their final times were the third and fourth fastest times in California prep history respectively. When the girls made their way off the track, (after signing autographs and posing for photos) the crowd at Salter Stadium rose and serenaded each with a well deserved standing ovation.
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
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