Boys soccer
Head coach Joe Panian’s team went 12-4-1 a season ago en route to winning its league and the No. 1 seed in Division IV. Mission Bay lost in the CIF quarterfinals.
According to Panian, some key players this season include junior midfielder/forward Andrew Hutchinson and senior midfielder Anthony Munoz.
“We have a great group of guys this year,” Panian said. “Our goals are to play possession-oriented, cohesive soccer that is very offensive-minded. However, this year with many new defensive players we will have to work tirelessly on our organization, defensive shape/team defense. There are high expectations after a solid year last year and some new exciting incoming players.”
Panian added that the team’s goals are to repeat as league champions and go further in CIF even though they moved up to Division III this year.
Mission Bay will be in action next week versus La Jolla Country Day School on Dec. 4 and Hoover on Dec. 6, respectively. Girls soccer The Bucs, under head coach Jorge Palacios, went 11-4-3 and lost in the first round of Division II CIFs.
According to Palacios, key players this season should include junior forward Camrin Peaslee, senior midfielder Juliette Tran, and senior defender Jeryn Young.
“We are committed to being the best team we can be,” Palacios said. “We play in a tough league against quality opponents. At the same time, we have an experienced, talented squad of players, many who have been playing varsity since their freshmen year, and the sky is the limit for this group.”
Mission Bay’s first game is Dec. 3 at Mountain Empire Girls water polo
The Bucs, with head coach Lyndsay Sutterley at the helm, went 16-11 overall (6-2 in league play) a season ago. Mission Bay went to the Division III CIF semifinals last year.
This year’s team will be led by senior attacker Piper McCarty, senior goalie Callie McClain, senior attacker Jesse Grigolite and senior attacker Nevaeh Carino, according to Sutterley.
“We have a really young team with some fresh new energy,” Sutterley commented. “We are looking forward to seeing how this develops in our season as we take on Division II.”
Mission Bay is in action vs. Francis Parker on Dec. 4 at Clairemont High. Girls basketball
The Bucs, under head coach Cameron Mitchell, are filled with youth and promise.
According to Mitchell, the team is led by point guard Hannah Richardson (current averages of 9 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks) and shooting guard Gwen Morris Lundstrom (current averages 20.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals).
“Hannah is a four-year varsity guard who is the ultimate floor general and playmaker for our team,” Mitchell said. “Hannah leads by example on and off the court. She is the glue on the paper and the straw that stirs the drink. She is an excellent all-around talent.”
When it comes to Morris Lundstrom, Mitchell noted, “Gwen is a scorer plain and simple. She knows how to put the ball in the basket. Gwen is usually the hardest worker on the floor. She uses her speed, size, and fearlessness to go over, around and through defenders.”
While the team is young, Mitchell said there is much to be optimistic about.
“We play extremely hard and our victory count and how far we go this season will ultimately depend on how well we jell as a defensive unit and what other offensive surprises we occur along the way,” Mitchell remarked. “We pride ourselves on being strong defensively. That is our mantle.”
Mission Bay will host Valhalla Dec. 3. Editor’s note: Information was not made available on the boys’ basketball team prior to press deadline.