Spring season: What we've learned so far, Ides of March edition
Published: March 16, 2008
Musings and mutteringsafter a weekend of dodging raindrops, when all sports in all areas saw action, one day past Idus Martiae and the 2,052nd anniversary of the demise of Julius Caesar (you can look it up. Gotta love Google):
-- The way newcomer Kaleb Robinson (.571, 10 runs, 13 RBIs) and holdovers Mike Fulwiler (.583, 3 doubles, 8 RBIs, 5 stolen bases) and Patrick Duffy (.500, 5 RBIs) are hitting, Kubasaki's baseball team isn't merely a threat to repeat its island championship -- Japanese teams better watch out also. Saturday's 8-6 win over Ginowan is proof positive of that. A team ERA of 2.42 over 26 innings isn't bad, either.
-- The way Tommy Coyne and Eddie Davis (combined 25 strikeouts) threw the ball on Saturday, Nile C. Kinnick stands as a threat to become the first DODDS-Japan team to repeat a Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools title since Yokota won the league in 2002 and the postseason tournament in 2003.
-- The way Gina Bosworth (Pacific-leading 15 goals for girls) and the Osan American Cougars strikers have been scoring, one can't help but conclude that the 2006 Class A Tournament champions are back.
-- Might this be the year that Seoul American finally overcomes Seoul Foreign? Chris Churchwell (seven goals) has the Falcons boys on a 4-0-1 run to open the season, while Erica Anglade (nine goals), Sarah Eades (eight) and Katie Bolander (five) propelled the Falcons girls to a 5-0 start. The big test -- Wednesday at Seoul Foreign. Remco Rademaker (18 goals) and the Crusaders boys are 5-0; Brittney Rader (six) and the girls are 3-1-1.
-- The more things change on Okinawa, the more they stay the same. Kara Koeneke and Natalie Monti are gone, but holdover Sara Harter has been involved in six of Kubasaki's 11 goals, while transfer Bridget Ramirez already has four goals for the 2-0 Dragons, defending Class AA Tournament champions.
-- A lot of pride left on that Kadena Panthers girls bench. Keep an eye on super sophomores Taylor Russell and Ashley Zapp along with junior playmaker Cassie McDonald and goalkeeper Helen Schrock. They scored twice in the last 10 minutes to turn Tuesday's season opener at Kubasaki into a close one, a 3-2 loss.
-- On the boys side, don't be the least bit surprised if the Okinawa Activities Council season series is as see-saw as Tuesday's opener was. Kubasaki led 2-1, only to watch Kadena rally in the second half to win 3-2. Kadena's Stan Schrock still has the scoring touch. And that transfer Colton Sadler, what a right foot and throw-in he's got!
-- Bridget Ramirez. Colton and Cody Sadler. Boy, has the California Interscholastic Federation been good to Kubasaki or what?
-- Call Saturday's 3-2 victory over St. Maur International a coming-out party for Yokota striker Tony Presnell. His hat trick gave him four goals in two matches.
-- We knew Yokota's girls were strong in the middle with Lauryn Thomas returning. What we didn't count on was the early scoring touch of freshman Courtney Richards (nine goals) and holdover Julia Martel (five). They could merely pick up where Breyana Anderson and Daniya Nixon left off.
-- Likewise, striker Brittany Evans (seven goals) and playmaker Ivan Rivera (five assists) are two players to watch in Kinnick Red Devil country.
-- As if one Ashlimanwasn't enough, now freshman Mallarie (three goals, four assists) has steppedin to complement her sophomore sister in Zama American's lineup. Despite a tricky knee, Aubrey has five goals, giving her 55 in just over a season.
-- And how about Zama's boys, off to a 3-0 start? Better mark up on Daniel Polaski and Zach Woods (three goals each).
-- Despite Karla Stroud's five goals and a 4-1-1 start, best in school history, Matthew C. Perry girls coach Chris Anderson sounded a cautionary note after Saturday's sweep of Hiroshima International: "The toughest part of our schedule is yet to come." Fair enough. Kinnick visits the Samurai on Friday and Saturday, then Perry travels to Yokota on March 28-29. Two Samurai to watch for: Kristen Liekwold and Noelle Smith, three goals each.
-- More thunderbolts from Trojans country: Zama's track and field program is no longer Andrew Quallio and a supporting cast. Seven Trojans won gold medals and Zama won three of four relay events in Saturday's invitational meet hosted by Zama. They may not enjoy the same success when the Kanto Plain season begins, but they'll be in the hunt. Every week. Bank on that.
--- Take care of that shoulder, Brandon Massie.
-- Finally, what will be the next big track and field rivalry on Okinawa? My tokens rest with the sprinters and relay units, including Roosevelt Payne, Ben Carr and Brandon Harris of Kadena vs. Karday Porter and Marquette Warren of Kubasaki. Come the 6th Mike Petty Memorial Meet on April 4-5, Ornauer believes they'll show the opposition a bit about speed, island style.
