NHS falls short in title game
Photo submitted
The Nordhoff High School girls’ basketball team pauses for a team photo between games at the Avalon Holiday Basketball Tournament on Catalina Island.
Nordhoff High School’s girls’ basketball team earned a second shot at the Avalon Holiday Basketball Tournament championship on Catalina Island last week, but fell two points short in the title bout.
Nordhoff (5-10 on the season) jumped out to an early lead on the strength of six first-quarter points by Courtney Abraham, but then could not take care of the basketball in the second and third quarters. This allowed Vaughn, a city of Los Angeles school, to move out to a 12-point lead.
The Rangers rallied in the fourth quarter behind sophomore Cameron Jones, who would finish with a game-high 16 points. Junior Haleigh Loomis jumpstarted the rally with a steal and an assist to freshman Jen Donohue, who made a pump fake and drove for a traditional three-pointer. Minutes later, senior Stella Moore’s baby jumper and Jones’ three-pointer, three free throws and two field goals in the post made it 37-35 with less than a minute.
Villanova Preparatory School basketball claims 3-on-5 victory
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Villanova Prep defeated a solid Village Christian Academy team with just five players, only three of which finished the game. The starting five included (left to right) Noelle Brown, Emily Currier, Mackenzie Hicks, Madison Fabbian and Coral Jae.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Villanova Preparatory School girls’ basketball team returned from winter break and hosted the Village Christian Academy Lions in a nonleague contest, squeaking out a thrilling 37-36 victory.
The Lions came into the game with a solid 7-3 record, but the Lady Wildcats managed to build a double-digit lead as the two teams went into the half. VPS head coach Dan Mercer was managing a roster of only five players and as fouls started to mount, he began to worry about finishing the game with all five players on the floor.
With two minutes left in the third quarter, Villanova’s first player fouled out of the game, leaving them with just four on the floor. The Lady Wildcats managed to maintain a slim lead into the fourth quarter but then a second player fouled out. Suddenly, VPS was down to just three players.
Nordhoff High baseball season in jeopardy over a lack of coaches
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
The Nordhoff Ranger baseball team may not take the field this season if volunteers do not spring into action.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The NHS program is struggling to find coaches, and could be in danger of not fielding teams in 2019 if volunteers do not step up.
Last season Lance Wiggins stepped in to coach the varsity squad on an emergency basis, but his role as head football coach and technical director for the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association will not allow for the additional responsibility of serving as head coach this season.
“I need to focus on football and my company has a few major projects that will require my time and attention. I simply can’t be the head coach for baseball this year,” said Wiggins.
Wiggins mentioned he is willing to serve as an assistant coach, but the administrative duties associated with being the head of the NHS program is simply more than his schedule can accommodate.
Annual Ojai Holiday Tennis Challenge closes out 2018 on a high note
photo by Paul Del Signore
Jakob Vos, Ojai Valley News contributor
The eighth annual Ojai Holiday Tennis Challenge was held Dec. 28 and 29, and featured 32 adult-youth teams of tennis enthusiasts. The duos battled on the Libbey Park courts in downtown Ojai.
Led by Craig Fugle and Jakob Vos, the event was sponsored by the Ojai Valley Tennis Club, and received substantial support from many volunteers. In particular, Ojai Recreation Department tennis director Scott Burton motivated many of his students to register and participate.
The Challenge included two divisions: “In to Win” and “In for Fun,” each with 16 teams consisting of one adult and one youth player. Regardless of division, every team match included interesting and close points with some truly epic battles. Vos explained, “One cannot help but notice the special atmosphere when you have an adult and a junior (especially a parent and their child) forming a team and working and cooperating together to get the most out of each other and create a team spirit that will lead to a very satisfying experience and hopefully a win.”
Local boys' soccer teams making playoff pushes
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Villanova Prep's Christian Roe looks to gain control of the ball despite pressure from Scott Inman in an early season game against the Nordhoff Rangers. NHS went on to win the game, 5-0.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
This winter, soccer fans in the Ojai Valley have been exposed to some great action on the pitch, and local teams are hoping to keep that going once they return from the holiday break. One of the area’s most exciting teams this season has been the Nordhoff High School boys’ team.
The Rangers are currently 6-1-4, and they are 1-1 in Citrus Coast League action. The CCL should be one of Ventura County’s most competitive leagues this season, and the Rangers hope to be in the mix for a playoff berth. So far this season, NHS has defeated Villanova Prep (5-0), Heritage Christian (5-0), St. Bonaventure (1-0), Academy of Careers (2-1), Palmdale Aerospace Academy (2-0) and Malibu (3-1). The Rangers have tied Foothill Tech (1-1), Village Christian (2-2), Paraclete (1-1) and Thacher (2-2). Nordhoff’s lone loss of the season came against defending league champ Santa Paula.
Villanova Preparatory School girls' water polo on fire this season
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
In the latest CIF Southern Section Division 6 polls, the Villanova Preparatory School girls’ water polo team is the No. 4-ranked team in the division, and they are an impressive 10-2 on the season. The Wildcats are also off to a 2-0 start in Citrus Coast League play, which puts them in a tie for first place along with Foothill Tech.
Last season VPS went 15-12 overall and claimed a share of the league title, before making a deep run in the playoffs. The team made it to the Division 7 semifinals before they fell to eventual champion Marymount in overtime.
VPS head coach Tim Settem attributes the team’s experience to its success so far this year. “We have six seniors on the roster this year and a number of returning starters from last year’s team which had a lot of success. This is also their third year with me as the coach so they know what to expect and they know how we do things. Their success and experience has spilled over to this season,” he said.
Ojai Valley Athletic Club tennis team headed to area playoffs
Photo submitted
The Ojai Valley Athletic Club women’s 3.5 tennis team recently clinched first place in the Ventura County United States Tennis Association 18-and-over doubles league for this season. After claiming first place, the team will now focus on the area playoffs in Whittier Narrows in early January. “Our team went 11-1, with all other teams having three or more losses, so we really, really nailed it,” said team member Celeste Manolas. Above, the team celebrates its final match win at the Westlake Athletic Club. Left to right are Deborah Herron, Kim Wachter, Wren Stauffenburg, team captain Katrina Rice Schmidt, Jane O’Dell and Manolas.
Volleyball honors roll in for Nordhoff, Villanova
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff’s Holly Neville (No. 9) and teammate Sasha Frazier team up to defeat Santa Paula in the 2018 regular season. The duo, as well as fellow sophomore Kolbe Fink, were recently named to the All-CIF team and both will be back in action next season for the Rangers.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
After stellar seasons that saw Nordhoff High School and Villanova Preparatory School both earn invitations to play in the 2018 CIF State Girls’ Volleyball Division IV Championship Tournament, four area players were recently named to the All-CIF team.
For Nordhoff, sophomores Holly Neville, Sasha Frazier and Kolbe Fink made the coveted All-CIF team for Division 7, while VPS senior Kyla Lenehan earned the same honor in Division 8.
Nordhoff finished its season with an impressive 27-5 record and served notice to the state’s best volleyball programs that they will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. Composed of mostly freshmen and sophomores, NHS figures to be a favorite to bring home a CIF Southern Section title in 2019.
Ojai Valley basketball teams prepare for league play
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
The Nordhoff High School boys’ basketball team is currently 3-10 after their nonleague schedule. They will open Citrus Coast League play Jan. 2 at Carpinteria.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
Basketball teams in the Ojai Valley have paused from game action to celebrate the holidays, but they will soon turn their attention to league play, which is set to begin in early January.
The Nordhoff High School boys are currently 3-10 on the season. Nordhoff’s victories have come over Laguna Blanca, Thacher and Fillmore. They are set to start Citrus Coast League play Jan. 2 when they travel to face Carpinteria at 7 p.m. So far this season, the Rangers have been led by junior Korey Stevens, who is averaging 11.8 points per game. Fellow junior Chase Plott is averaging 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while sophomore Kaden Gard records 8.6 points per contest.
Ranger wrestling on the rise
Ojai Valley News photos by Ken Brown
Senior wrestler Nick Cansler led Nordhoff past Santa Paula in dual match by dominating his opponent at 132 pounds and getting his hand raised in victory.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
Nordhoff High School Ranger wrestling is off to a terrific start this winter, and a number of wrestlers are putting together impressive records. On Dec. 13, NHS hosted the Santa Paula Cardinals, which is normally one of the top programs in Ventura County.
This year the Cardinals are down slightly but they still put on a solid show against the Rangers. “Our kids wrestled very well against Santa Paula last Thursday. We really came together as a team and wrestled our best duel of the year,” said Nordhoff head coach Paul Clementi.
Despite not having wrestlers in every weight class, the Rangers managed to win the league matchup, 48-39.
Nordhoff girls' basketball team wins third game of season
Photo by Tom Moore
Nordhoff’s Stella Moore (No. 14) brings the ball up the floor against the Villanova Prep Wildcats in a recent game. Moore helped the Lady Rangers defeat Santa Clarita Christian Dec. 15 in a nonleague game.
The Nordhoff High School varsity girls’ basketball team won its third game of the season, defeating Santa Clarita Christian, 40-25, in Ojai Dec. 15.
After dropping a pair of lopsided decisions on the road to Viewpoint and Santa Ynez, the Lady Rangers righted the ship and improved to 3-8. They overcame another poor shooting performance by playing good defense, making 29 steals while limiting the visitors to 26 percent shooting.
Cameron Jones and Stella Moore each finished with a team-high nine points and five steals. Courtney Abraham scored six and pulled down 10 rebounds. Freshmen Jennifer Donohue, Jasmine Umscheid and Juliet Ruiz each scored four. Jones and Abraham combined for 33 points in the loss to Viewpoint earlier the week.
The Lady Rangers do not play again until Jan. 3 when they travel to Catalina Island to play in the Avalon Holiday Tournament.
Nordhoff boys' basketball team avenges Thacher loss
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
The Nordhoff High School boys’ basketball team edged crosstown rival Thacher, 53-50, at home last Friday, avenging a 75-55 defeat suffered at Thacher earlier this season.
“The difference was we were ready to play this time,” said Nordhoff head coach Scott Hannah, whose Rangers improved to 2-9.
“After beating Laguna the night before, I think we just felt like we were going to blow them out the first time,” explained Nordhoff senior Yassar Olivera. “We knew this time we had to come out and play with a lot of heart because they are a good team.”
Area teams take part in Nordhoff tourney
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Mackenzie Hicks shoots a free throw in a recent non-league game. Hicks recorded 24 rebounds against Louisville in the 42nd Annual Nordhoff Tournament.
Nordhoff High School hosted its 42nd annual varsity girls' basketball tournament last week.
Before having to cancel the tournament due to the Thomas Fire a year ago, this was the longest continuously running varsity girls' tournament in Ventura County.
St. Bonaventure High School captured the title, going undefeated for the week, upending Thacher, Rio Mesa, Royal and Channel Islands.
Grace Brethren, Royal and Moorpark each won three games during the week.
Nordhoff basketball hosts golf fundraiser
The 22nd annual Nordhoff High School Two-Man Scramble golf tournament returns to Soule Park Golf Course Sunday, January 27. This is a fundraiser for the high school's boys' and girls' basketball teams. The tournament features "real golf:" no mulligans, strings, etc. The top three teams win prizes, as do winners of longest drive, fewest putts and closest to the pin contests. Prizes include rounds of golf lessons, merchandise, gift certificates to local restaurants and a chance to win a new car from Bob Smith Toyota for the first hole-in-one.
The tournament utilizes a 10:30 a.m. shotgun start and costs $150 per player. Payment is due the day of the event. To reserve a spot for your team, contact head coach and tournament director Ted Cotti at 798-2008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..