As the school year approaches the halfway point, winter sports at Point Loma High School have taken center stage while the process of hiring a new head football coach continues. 

The recently completed winter break saw many athletes competing in holiday tournaments in preparation for upcoming league games and some have had significant success.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Under new head coach Michelle Mannisto the Pointer girls have posted an 11-5 record. Mannisto was also the head coach of the school’s first flag football team in the fall.

Four freshmen have earned a spot on the team (Abby George, Eva Cruz, Hannah Smith, and Avery Heckman) to go with six sophomores (Isla Orr, Makenna Joyce, Kayla Henry, Sophia Loya, London Manning, and Scarlette La Chappa). Four juniors include Sophie Taylor, Madi Schmitt, Leah McGonigle, and Ellie Rose Branham-Bond. Senior leaders are Rachael Morris, Kylie Wade, and Bella Sisk-Correll.

The girls play in the Eastern League with Patrick Henry, Mira Mesa, University City, Lincoln, and San Diego High Schools. The Pointers have the best non-league record of these teams and are ranked No. 5 of 21Div. III schools.

Their most exciting game to date was a 44-43 win over La Jolla in double overtime.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Head coach Josh Aros and crew have raced to a 12-5 overall record and stand at 1-0 in Central League play with a 71-64 win over La Jolla. Other Central League teams include Clairemont, Crawford, and Canyon Hills High Schools.

A big non-league game was a 64-61 win over Coronado on the Islanders’ court. The two teams have developed a rivalry in recent years that would best be described as “spirited.” At press time the Pointers are on a four-game win streak, undefeated at home, and are ranked No. 4 of 21 Div. III teams.

Junior Grant Stewart leads the Pointers with 16.6 points per game followed by seniors Nick Freeman (13.7) and Nick Woodworth (9.1). 

Freeman leads in rebounds (8.8 per game with Stewart (4.4) and sophomore Na’Sean Hardy (4.4) tied.

Junior Trevor Dorris has 4.4 assists per game while Freeman (3.4) and Stewart (3.2) follow.

As a team, the Pointers are averaging 16.9 assists and 12.9 steals per game.

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach Jose Garcia’s team has a record of 3-1-3 as Western League play opened this week with a match against a tough Patrick Henry (12-0-2) team. Other league teams are Cathedral Catholic, Coronado, and Academy of Our Lady of Peace.

Scoring has been the Pointers’ greatest challenge with the team averaging 1.3 goals per game while that number is also the number the team has given up. But Patrick Henry has only scored 2.3 per game showing the sport’s thin margin between victories and defeats.

Leading goal scorers are senior Gwen Rauvola (3 goals), freshman Sophia Valli, and junior Allie York (2 each). Assists leaders are York and senior Kiley Fehrenbacher (2 each) and freshman Eliana Serna (1).

Goalkeeper Camilla Powell, a freshman, has posted two shutouts and an .800 goals-against average while junior keeper Kaitlynn Gustafson has one shutout and a .500 GAA.

BOYS SOCCER

For head coach Elliott Savitz, injuries to some key players have caused his team to start with a record of 1-7-1, currently leaving his side ranked No.19 of 20 Div. I teams. But don’t count this team out. Last year’s Pointer team finished Western League with a 1-6-1 record before catching fire in postseason play, winning the local CIF Div. I title and the Southern California Div. III championship.

The team’s lone win this season is a 4-0 shutout of Montgomery in November and to date, only nine balls have found the back of the net for the team while yielding a total of 16. 

Senior Ethan Denney leads the team in most categories including goals (2), assists (1), and points (5).

Goalkeeping senior Bernardo Marquez and junior Seamus Donovan have each played in parts of seven games with Marquez allowing six goals and Donovan seven.

GIRLS WATER POLO

Head coach Brandon Huff’s squad is currently 4-6 overall but 3-0 in Central League play. Other teams in the league are Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, High Tech SD, and Canyon Hills. No league team seems dominant. The Pointers’ biggest win was a 17-7 swamping of Mira Mesa. The team is ranked No. 8 of 13 Div. II teams.

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Input from parents and community members has been solicited and received. It will be used by the selection team as they sort through and interview applicants. Across the county a dozen head coaching positions are open.

ATHLETIC SCHEDULES

Dates and times for all PLHS athletic events can be found at plhsfighingpointers.com.